This page highlights the importance of diagnosing infections and food safety testing to identify harmful organisms. It reviews detection methods including traditional culturing, PCR for rapid but cont...This page highlights the importance of diagnosing infections and food safety testing to identify harmful organisms. It reviews detection methods including traditional culturing, PCR for rapid but contamination-sensitive results, and longer immunoassays. A new rapid biosensor, CANARY, is introduced, which uses genetically engineered B lymphocytes to detect antigens, emitting light when specific antigens are present. This method is noted for its high sensitivity, specificity, and speed.
This page discusses the renewed concerns regarding the use of biological agents, particularly the smallpox virus, in terrorism. Smallpox was eradicated in 1980 through effective vaccination and a lack...This page discusses the renewed concerns regarding the use of biological agents, particularly the smallpox virus, in terrorism. Smallpox was eradicated in 1980 through effective vaccination and a lack of animal reservoirs. Edward Jenner's pioneering vaccine using cowpox replaced the more dangerous variolation method.
