title: A B cell-based sensor for rapid identification of pathogens.
abstract: We report the use of genetically engineered cells in a pathogen identification sensor. This sensor uses B lymphocytes that have been engineered to emit light within seconds of exposure to specific bacteria and viruses. We demonstrated rapid screening of relevant samples and identification of a variety of pathogens at very low levels. Because of its speed, sensitivity, and specificity, this pathogen identification technology could prove useful for medical diagnostics, biowarfare defense, food- and water-quality monitoring, and other applications.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA 02420, USA. thor@ll.mit.edu
authors.forename: Todd H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Rider
authors.forename: Martha S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Petrovick
authors.forename: Frances E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Nargi
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Schwoebel
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Blanchard
authors.forename: Laura T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Bortolin
authors.forename: Albert M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Jianzhu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hollis
mesh_terms: D000331:Aequorin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D002460:Cell Line; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004666:Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D029544:Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000276:immunology; D008027:Light; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014162:Transfection; D014780:Viruses / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D000331:Aequorin