Middle Tennessee State University Projects
1. Biosensor Research (Andrienne Friedli) - Active
Many sensors that detect biologically-relevant molecules, including DNA and viruses, are limited to the detection of a single target at a time, and most techniques require extensive sample preparation. An interdisciplinary team at MTSU has discovered an advanced optical sensor that can selectively detect picogram quantities of specific biomolecules (e.g., proteins) simultaneously, potentially sensing up to 10,000 different substances in a single scan. The scope of this research is to investigate and develop a biosensor for rapid detection of infectious agents and other environmental contaminants as a key component of community resilience following a natural disaster. The device can be applied to water quality, food safety, medical diagnostics, and biological threat detection. The project will enable device development to selectively detect infectious agents in the micrometer size range. The initial research focus of the project will be on detection of water-borne bacteria and viruses, especially the Norwalk-like viruses (NLV or norovirus), which spread rapidly to epidemic levels in areas affected by hurricane Katrina.