A new, more lethal variant of mpox has emerged, primarily affecting children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A less severe variant has spread globally since 2022.
Current diagnostic methods, such as PCR tests, are time-consuming and expensive.
New Optical Biosensor Technology:
Researchers have developed a rapid and cost-effective optical biosensor to detect mpox.
The biosensor can identify mpox virus particles in minutes.
The technology involves using monoclonal antibodies to capture the virus and a specialized optical system to detect the virus-antibody complexes.
Potential Impact:
This new technology could revolutionize mpox diagnosis, enabling rapid identification and isolation of infected individuals.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the spread of the virus and reduce the severity of symptoms.
This biosensor technology could also be adapted to detect other emerging infectious diseases.
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