Access

Published online 18 January 2009 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2009.34

News

Tiny springboards detect viruses in fluids

Wobbly cantilevers 'feel' pathogens lock onto their targets.

Viruses can now be detected directly in fluids, thanks to microscopic diving boards that vibrate when the pathogenic particles stick to cellular proteins. The findings could eventually lead to better blood tests and more sensitive ways of measuring whether new drugs are binding to their targets.

Comments

Reader comments are usually moderated after posting. If you find something offensive or inappropriate, you can speed this process by clicking 'Report this comment' (or, if that doesn't work for you, email webadmin@nature.com). For more controversial topics, we reserve the right to moderate before comments are published.

  • small but terrible...

    • 20 Jan, 2009
    • Posted by: joseph lopez