Detecting Disease: Microbeads To Improve Identification Of Biomarkers In Body
Fluids
Analyzing human blood for a very low virus concentration or a sample of water for a bioterrorism agent has always been a time-consuming and difficult process. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University have developed an easier and faster method to detect these types of target molecules in liquid samples using highly porous, micron-sized, silica beads. The researchers developed a technique to simultaneously or sequentially add optical and magnetic nanoparticles into the beads. Adding magnetic nanoparticles allows the use of a magnetic field to attract and easily remove the beads from a liquid sample. The beads are mixed in a liquid such as urine. Viruses, proteins or other biomarkers are captured on the bead surface. After the beads are removed from the liquid, optical imaging is used to determine the concentration of a specific protein or virus in the liquid sample based on the number of proteins or viruses attached to the surface of the beads. For further research,
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070215131713.htm
Okie, Vivian Coolen
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3 comments:
HEY VIVIAN WELL I THINK THIS ARTICLE IS PRETTY NEAT. THIS NEW DEVELOPEMENT IS INCREDIBLE AND IT SEEMED VERY CONFUSING AT START BUT THE PROCESS OF HOW THE BEADS ARE MADE IS QUITE SIMPLE. FOR INSTANCE THE SURFACE OF THE BEADS CONTAINS A LONG-CHAIN CARBON MOLECULE THAT MAKES THE BEADS HYDROPHOBIC, MEANING THEY REPEL WATER. THE BEADS ARE DISSOLVED IN BUTANOL AND WASHED SEVERAL TIMES. I THINK THE PROCESS IS PRETTY COOL ONCE YOU THINK ABOUT. I SUGGEST YOU GUYS READ IT ITS INTERESTING.
KATHY
I felt so empowered by this article, seeing the advances that are being made in the medical field. I'm not planning on being a doctor where I can try to find treatments for diseases or ways of preventing them, but reading this article just comforts me by letting me know that the possibilities are growing. It's crazy to think that just 30 years ago not much was known about cancer, and now there are considerably fast ways of detecting it. nice pick vivian :-)
-Francia
oh and kathia that's pretty cool how you broke it down, the whole process i mean. i still don't fully understand it, i'm just glad that the experts do :-)
-Francia
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