U.S. Army to Test Hand-Held Pathogen Detector

U.S. Army scientists next week plan to begin testing at the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah a handheld device that can detect biological agents, KSL TV reported yesterday (see GSN, March 8).

The detector, developed by AnzenBio, is capable of identifying a large number of pathogens quickly, according to Chief Executive Officer Gary Crocker.

“By simply loading the biosensor chip with a different antibody or assay targeted to a different pathogen, the same basic device can be targeted for the detection of a very wide range of pathogens,” he said.

Samples from a bus, train or building could be loaded into the handheld detectors to determine if a pathogen is present, KSL reported.

Cocker said the device, which costs less than $2,000, could also be used to detect avian flu, pathogens used against crops or allergens and fungus (KSL TV, July 7).

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