NASA Nanotechnology-Based Biosensor Helps Detect Biohazards

May 20, 2008

Sonja Alexander
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1761
sonja.r.alexander@xxxxxxxx

Michael Mewhinney
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
650-604-3937
michael.s.mewhinney@xxxxxxxx

RELEASE: 08-131

NASA NANOTECHNOLOGY-BASED BIOSENSOR HELPS DETECT BIOHAZARDS

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- NASA has developed a revolutionary
nanotechnology-based biosensor that can detect trace amounts of
specific bacteria, viruses and parasites. This biosensor will be used
to help prevent the spread of potentially deadly biohazards in water,
food and other contaminated sources.

NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in California licensed
the biosensor technology to Early Warning Inc., Troy, N.Y. Under a
Reimbursable Space Act Agreement, NASA and Early Warning jointly will
develop biosensor enhancements. Initially, the biosensor will be
configured to detect the presence of common and rare strains of
microorganisms associated with water-borne illnesses and fatalities.

"The biosensor makes use of ultra-sensitive carbon nanotubes which
can
detect biohazards at very low levels," explained Meyya Meyyappan,
chief scientist for exploration technology and former director of the
Center for Nanotechnology at Ames. "When biohazards are present, the
biosensor generates an electrical signal, which is used to determine
the presence and concentration levels of specific micro-organisms in
the sample. Because of their tiny size, millions of nanotubes can fit
on a single biosensor chip."

Early Warning company officials say food and beverage companies,
water
agencies, industrial plants, hospitals and airlines could use the
biosensor to prevent outbreaks of illnesses caused by pathogens -
without needing a laboratory or technicians.

"Biohazard outbreaks from pathogens and infectious diseases occur
every day in the U.S. and throughout the world," said Neil Gordon,
president of Early Warning. "The key to preventing major outbreaks is
frequent and comprehensive testing for each suspected pathogen, as
most occurrences of pathogens are not detected until after people get
sick or die. Biohazards can enter the water supply and food chain
from a number of sources which are very difficult to uncover.

Early Warning expects to launch its water-testing products in late
2008.

"Ambitious space missions have produced some of the world's most
creative technologies by NASA and its industrial partners," said
Harry Partridge, deputy director of the Space Technologies Division
at Ames. "Not only does NASA want these technologies used in space
applications, an equally important objective is the transition of
NASA research into real world products that can benefit our society."


For more information about NASA's Innovative Partnership Program, and
NASA technology infusion activities, visit:

http://ipp.nasa.gov

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

For more information about Early Warning, visit:

http://www.earlywarninginc.com


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