Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

The influenza virus is an infectious disease that touches millions of people on a daily basis world-wide. The most potentially dangerous strain of the influenza virus is the H5N1, also known as avian or bird flu. This virus poses such a danger to the world that many countries, including Canada, have developed a pandemic influenza plan for combating this menacing threat. The research proposed in this application aims to better understand the use of cantilever sensors for detecting different strains of the influenza virus. Cantilever sensors are chemically activated cantilevers which have approximately the same width as a human hair and are less than half a millimeter long. Because of their small size, cantilever sensors are extremely sensitive and can detect minute concentrations of specific molecules. We have recently begun using cantilever sensors to detect individual types of the influenza virus by using antibodies as receptive agents. In this application we are seeking funds to purchase a MAC mode controller/scanner add-on for an existing microscope in order to observe and better understand the reactions and dynamics of our sensors. If successful with this work, cantilever sensors can one day be incorporated into continuous air-analyzing instruments for use in public spaces like airplanes coming from countries which have a high infectious risk or in a laboratory setting to detect leaks around the perimeter of biohazard laboratories.