Although a fundamental understanding of the pathogenicity of most biothreat agents has been elucidated and available treatments have increased substantially over the past decades, they still represent a significant public health threat in this age of (bio)terrorism, indiscriminate warfare, pollution, climate change, unchecked population growth, and globalization. The key step to almost all prevention, protection, prophylaxis, post-exposure treatment, and mitigation of any bioagent is early detection. Here, we review available methods for detecting bioagents including pathogenic bacteria and viruses along with their toxins. An introduction placing this subject in the historical context of previous naturally occurring outbreaks and efforts to weaponize selected agents is first provided along with definitions and relevant considerations. An overview of the detection technologies that find use in this endeavor along with how they provide data or transduce signal within a sensing configuration follows. Current...

Detecting Biothreat Agents: From Current Diagnostics to Developing Sensor Technologies

Herein, we synthesized bifunctional magnetic fluorescent beads (MFBs) with a distinct core/shell structure by encapsulating octadecylamine-coated CdSe/ZnS QDs (OC-QDs) and oleic acid-modified iron ...

Magnetic Quantum Dot Nanobead-Based Fluorescent Immunochromatographic Assay for the Highly Sensitive Detection of Aflatoxin B1 in Dark Soy Sauce.

A method for patterning CNTs on a wafer wherein a CNT layer is provided on a substrate, a hard mask film is deposited on the CNT layer, a BARC layer (optional) is coated on the hard mask film, and a resist is patterned on the BARC layer (or directly on the hard mask film if the BARC layer is not included). Then, the resist pattern is effectively transferred to the hard mask film by etching the BARC layer (if provided) and etching partly into, but not entirely through, the hard mask film (i.e., etching is stopped before reaching the CNT layer) Then, the resist and the BARC layer (if provided) is stripped, and the hard mask pattern is effectively transferred to the CNTs by etching away (preferably by using Cl, F plasma) the portions of the hard mask which have been already partially etched away.

Novel techniques for precision pattern transfer of carbon nanotubes from photo mask to wafers

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/8/4/94/pdf

Detection Methods of Human and Animal Influenza Virus—Current Trends

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a common carcinogenic toxin related to cereal contamination. In this study, we developed a high sensitivity quantum dot (QD)-based fluorescent quenching lateral flow assay (LFA) for sensitive ZEN detection. The linear detection range of the fluorescent quenching LFA for ZEN was 0.78–25 ng/mL, and the limit of detection was 0.58 ng/mL. In addition, the fluorescent quenching LFA showed high recovery (83.1–93.6%) for detection of ZEN concentrations spiked into corn samples. These results indicate that the QD-based fluorescent quenching LFA may be a valuable tool for preliminary screening of ZEN contamination.

Development of a high sensitivity quantum dot-based fluorescent quenching lateral flow assay for the detection of zearalenone.

Rapid detection of avian influenza A virus by immunochromatographic test using a novel fluorescent dye

A method for forming CNT multilayer film patterns, which comprises repeatedly attaching CNTs having exposed carboxyl groups onto a substrate having exposed amine groups by amide linkage, so as to form a CNT multilayer film, and then forming CNT multilayer film patterns from the CNT multilayer film by photolithography and dry etching. Also disclosed is a method for fabricating CNT multilayer film patterns where a variety of chemical functional groups are exposed, by thermally treating CNT multilayer film patterns obtained as provided in the preceding sentence, to obtain CNT multilayer film patterns devoid of surface defect sites, followed by physically attaching either surfactants or chemical substances having sites capable of π-stacking, to the CNT multilayer film patterns devoid of defect sites. Such methodology allows fabrication of clear CNT multilayer film patterns in which CNTs are attached only at selected regions, resolving prior art issues of CNTs being attached also at non-selected regions. CNT multilayer film patterns having chemical functional groups physically attached thereto and exposed to the surface, are useful in the fabrication of biosensors.

Do Young Choi

Papers

Rapid detection of avian influenza A virus by immunochromatographic test using a novel fluorescent dye

Method for manufacturing a carbon nanotube multilayer pattern using photolithography and dry etching