Biological Identification: DNA Amplification and Sequencing, Optical Sensing, Lab-On-Chip and Portable Systems

Biological Identification provides a detailed review of, and potential future developments in, the technologies available to counter the threats to life and health posed by natural pathogens, toxins, and bioterrorism agents. Biological identification systems must be fast, accurate, reliable, and easy to use. It is also important to employ the most suitable technology in dealing with any particular threat. This book covers the fundamentals of these vital systems and lays out possible advances in the technology.

Part one covers the essentials of DNA and RNA sequencing for the identification of pathogens, including next generation sequencing (NGS), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, isothermal amplification, and bead array technologies. Part two addresses a variety of approaches to making identification systems portable, tackling the special requirements of smaller, mobile systems in fluid movement, power usage, and sample preparation. Part three focuses on a range of optical methods and their advantages. Finally, part four describes a unique approach to sample preparation and a promising approach to identification using mass spectroscopy.

Biological Identification is a useful resource for academics and engineers involved in the microelectronics and sensors industry, and for companies, medical organizations and military bodies looking for biodetection solutions.

Covers DNA sequencing of pathogens, lab-on-chip, and portable systems for biodetection and analysisProvides an in-depth description of optical systems and explores sample preparation and mass spectrometry-based biological analysis

Part 1 Technology for DNA and RNA analysis of pathogens: Nucleic acid sequencing for characterizing infectious and novel agents in complex samples; Multiplexed, real-time and lateral flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques for biological identification; Isothermal amplification of specific sequences; Multiplex bead array technologies for nucleic acid identification and analysis. Part 2 Lab-on-chip and portable systems for biodetection and analysis: Electrochemical detection for biological identification; Conductometric biosensors; Bio-chem-FETs: field effect transistors for biological sensing. Part 3 Optical systems for biological identification: Porphyrins-incorporated receptor-based biosensors; Overview of terahertz (Thz) spectral characterization for biological identification; Deciphering species-level spectral uniqueness within Bacillus microorganisms; LIDAR (light detection and ranging) for biodetection. Part 4 Sample preparation and mass spectrometry-based biological analysis: Electrophoretic approaches to sample collection and preparation for nucleic acids analysis; Mass spectrometry-based proteomics methods for microbial identification.