4th European Workshop on Optical Fibre Sensors, EWOFS'2010
September 8 - 10, 2010
October 13 - 15, 2010
International Conference on Fiber Optics and Photonics, PHOTONICS 2010
December 11 - 15, 2010
Asia Pacific Optical Sensors (APOS) Sydney Australia 2012
February 1 - 4, 2012
The aim is to develop nanoscale optical fiber biosensor tests, or assays, for detection of Francisella tularensis, Burkholderia mallei, and B. pseudomallei.
The optical fiber is coated with antibodies or DNA that will bind to antigens or DNA in the specimen. When this happens, the light that normally passes through the fiber will be decreased, indicating the presence of a biological agent.
"This assay will be rugged, portable, inexpensive, and rapid," said Inzana. "All of these are critical to minimizing the affect on an intentionally introduced biological weapon." Furthermore, the increased speed of detection allowed by this new, optical fiber assay will also increase the speed of treatment for those affected, according to Inzana.
Source: http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2010&itemno=13