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Nature Biotechnology 24, 555–557 (1 June 2006) | doi:10.1038/nbt1201

A liposome-PCR assay for the ultrasensitive detection of biological toxins

Jeffrey T Mason , Lixin Xu , Zong-mei Sheng & Timothy J O'Leary

We describe an ultrasensitive immunoassay for detecting biotoxins that uses liposomes with encapsulated DNA reporters, and ganglioside receptors embedded in the bilayer, as a detection reagent. After immobilization of the target biotoxin by a capture antibody and co-binding of the detection reagent, the liposomes are ruptured to release the reporters, which are quantified by real-time PCR.