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Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation
, Microbiology
by ruth on August 31, 2007
Researchers have discovered that morphological changes in an aquatic microbe may be used as a biosensor to determine levels of toxic heavy metals and metal-like substances in air or water.
Andrew McKay, a PhD student at CRC CARE and The University of Queensland, is
studying the changes that take place in a unique water microbe when it is exposed to
arsenic, cadmium and lead industrial and natural contaminants around the world.
"Their growth and reproduction rates slow down and their shape changes becoming
star or V-shaped.
"And of course, at high levels of the toxins, they die."
To develop a biosensor, the observed changes would first have to be standardized or equated to the levels of contamination and risk to human and animals.
Source: Research Australia (pdf file)
Trackback: http://publish.creative-weblogging.com/publish/mt-tb.pl/89236
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