In the month of May, 2007, researchers from the Temple University School of Medicine produced a new breed of biosensor which has the ability to identify and pinpoint the presence of explosive materials. Thus, dangerous and life threatening explosives such as TNT and claymores can be "sniffed" out by this biosensor before they can commit serious injury or death to individuals. It is furthermore implied that this new biosensor may also be developed to detect land mines and lethal and extremely toxic chemical agents, such as sarin gas. Temple University's Dr. Danny Dhanasekaran spearheaded the development of this revolutionary biosensor alongside his associates.In the first stelp to the development of the biosensor, Dr. Dhanasekaran.In the first step to the development of the biosensor, Dr. Dhanasekaran and his colleagues created some yeast cells wherein they cloned individual rat olfactory receptor. The biosensor would turn fluorescent green once this olfactory receptor smells DNT which is one of the ingredients of TNT.It has been said that once the full capabilities of this olfact
ory receptor has been exhausted and perfected, all environmental toxins and warfare chemical agents could also be easily detected. One day, it is also implied that the new biosensor will be developed to achieve more than what it can accomplish. According to Dr. Dhanasekaran, “With further genetic fine-tuning of the olfactory receptor pathway, this system could also be used to screen experimental medications, a crucial step in the development of new drugs.” Reflection
I believe that a biosensor that could detect explosives and someday, chemical weapons and landmines could be very beneficial to mankind. Thousands of lives, military or civilian, could be saved though this simple but yet revolutionary biological breakthrough. I sincerely hope that one day this biosensor can be put into permanent use and be developed to fulfill its full functions. I commend Dr. Dhanasekaran and his staff for their attempts to save human lives through science.
http://www.temple.edu/medicine/biosensor.htm
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