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Bio-Detector Scans For 3,000 Viruses and Bacteria

Posted by timothy on from the can't-we-send-it-to-mars-and-settle-this? dept.

separsons writes "Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory recently unveiled a three-inch-long bio-detector than can scan for 3,000 different types of viruses and bacteria in just 24 hours. The device, dubbed the Lawrence Livermore Microbial Detection Array (LLMDA), boasts significant advantages over traditional bio-detectors, which can only identify a maximum of 50 pathogens. The three-inch-long glass slide is packed with 388,000 probes that can detect more than 2,000 viruses and 900 bacteria. The device may have huge implications in identifying agents released during biological and chemical attacks. Plus, in more everyday uses, LLMDA can ensure food, drug and vaccine safety and help diagnose medical problems. Scientists' next version of LLMDA is even more impressive: A new bio-detector will be lined with 2.1 million probes that can scan for 5,700 viruses and thousands of bacteria as well as fungi and protozoa."

5 of 103 comments (clear)

  1. Huge implications by MrMr · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The device may have huge implications in identifying agents released during biological and chemical attacks
    Yes, don't we all just hate those attacks we're suffering all the time. Finally the LLNL is spending money where it's really needed.

    1. Re:Huge implications by bcmm · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It's just how you sell that sort of thing in today's climate. National security is much more interesting than public health, for some reason.

      --
      # cat /dev/mem | strings | grep -i llama
      Damn, my RAM is full of llamas.
  2. No fun for doctors by hey · · Score: 3, Interesting

    In the olden days (now) a doctor would examine at you and see what virus you probably had then order tests. But tomorrow if they can just scan for everything there's no need for doctors. :(

  3. form factor by electricprof · · Score: 3, Funny

    I have this fear that it's current size will inevitably lead to a portable ... err ... insertable version ...

  4. Re:A consumer version? by misexistentialist · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Actually an at home STD test kit isn't a bad idea