Anthrax Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Anthrax, including details on bacillus anthracis, contagiousness, exposure, effects.

Microwave-accelerated metal-enhanced fluorescence: application to detection of genomic and exosporium anthrax DNA in <30 seconds.

Aslan K, Zhang Y, Hibbs S, Baillie L, Previte MJ, Geddes CD

Institute of Fluorescence, Laboratory for Advanced Medical Plasmonics, Medical Biotechnology Center, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.

We describe the ultra-fast and sensitive detection of the gene encoding the protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis the causative agent of anthrax. Our approach employs a highly novel platform technology, Microwave-Accelerated Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence (MAMEF), which combines the use of Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence to enhance assay sensitivity and focused microwave heating to spatially and kinetically accelerate DNA hybridization. Genomic and exosporium target DNA of Bacillus anthracis spores was detected within a minute in the nanograms per microliter concentration range using low-power focused microwave heating. The MAMEF technology was able to distinguish between B. anthracis and B. cereus, a non-virulent close relative. We believe that this study has set the stage and indeed provides an opportunity for the ultra-fast and specific detection of B. anthracis spores with minimal pre-processing steps using a relatively simple but cost-effective technology that could minimize casualties in the event of another anthrax attack.

Published 23 October 2007 in Analyst, 132(11): 1130-8.
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