Detection and treatment of human diseases could be greatly enhanced by the Nanobiosensor for Single-Cell Analysis, a device developed by a team led by Tuan Vo-Dinh of Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Life Sciences Division. The nanobiosensor, which consists of a laser, a fiber optic nanoprobe and a microscope system, can detect and quantify biochemicals within a living cell. The tip of the nanoprobe has a specific receptor, like an antibody, DNA or enzyme that attracts a specific antigen or protein being studied. The cell remains intact and continues to live and divide after the probe has been removed. Vo-Dinh envisions the device being used in biomedical research, clinical diagnostics, drug discovery and ultra-high throughput screening applications. The project was funded initially through the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program and more recently by DOE's Office of Biological and Environmental Research.
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