11
© Springer Nature B.V. 2020
G. Sindona et al. (eds.), Toxic Chemical and Biological Agents, NATO Science
for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2041-8_2
Chapter 2
Detection of Biological Warfare Agents
Using Biosensors
Joseph H. Banoub and Abanoub Mikhael
Abstract This chapter surveys the current detection technologies used in commercially available biosensors for identifying biological warfare agents (BAs). Much of
the content presented was obtained from the open-source literature and is an introduction to biosensor fundamentals. A glance at these technologies is presented with
emphasis placed on the principles of detection.
2.1 Introduction
Biological agents include a series of different virulent bacteria, viruses, fungi
(yeasts and moulds), and parasites. [1, 2]. All of these agents possess an irreversible
threat to potentially cause ill health and death to soldiers/humans. The incidents of
anthrax-laced letters, the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS), and repeated occurrences of illnesses caused by food-borne pathogens
highlight the need for rapid and sensitive identification of the responsible biological
agents [3, 4].
Biological agents (BAs) are widely found in the natural environment (workplace,
hospitals, HVAC, etc.) and as a result of the voluntary release of biological warfare
or terrorism agents [1, 2]. Biological agents are usually invisible and possess the
ability to infect in tiny doses [1, 2]. They also have the cunning ability to replicate
rapidly and require minimal resources to survive. For these reasons, it is impossible
to feel their presence initially or to predict the risks they present. Recently, it has
been demonstrated that bioterrorism raises the specter of exposure to toxins by
J. H. Banoub (*)
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Science Branch, Special Projects,
St John’s, NL, Canada
Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, NL, Canada
e-mail: joe.banoub@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
A. Mikhael
Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland,
St John’s, NL, Canada
© Springer Nature B.V. 2020
G. Sindona et al. (eds.), Toxic Chemical and Biological Agents, NATO Science
for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2041-8_2
Chapter 2
Detection of Biological Warfare Agents
Using Biosensors
Joseph H. Banoub and Abanoub Mikhael
Abstract This chapter surveys the current detection technologies used in commercially available biosensors for identifying biological warfare agents (BAs). Much of
the content presented was obtained from the open-source literature and is an introduction to biosensor fundamentals. A glance at these technologies is presented with
emphasis placed on the principles of detection.
2.1 Introduction
Biological agents include a series of different virulent bacteria, viruses, fungi
(yeasts and moulds), and parasites. [1, 2]. All of these agents possess an irreversible
threat to potentially cause ill health and death to soldiers/humans. The incidents of
anthrax-laced letters, the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS), and repeated occurrences of illnesses caused by food-borne pathogens
highlight the need for rapid and sensitive identification of the responsible biological
agents [3, 4].
Biological agents (BAs) are widely found in the natural environment (workplace,
hospitals, HVAC, etc.) and as a result of the voluntary release of biological warfare
or terrorism agents [1, 2]. Biological agents are usually invisible and possess the
ability to infect in tiny doses [1, 2]. They also have the cunning ability to replicate
rapidly and require minimal resources to survive. For these reasons, it is impossible
to feel their presence initially or to predict the risks they present. Recently, it has
been demonstrated that bioterrorism raises the specter of exposure to toxins by
J. H. Banoub (*)
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Science Branch, Special Projects,
St John’s, NL, Canada
Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, NL, Canada
e-mail: joe.banoub@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
A. Mikhael
Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland,
St John’s, NL, Canada