Shaking up the world of virus detection
22 May 2002
News
Scientists claim to have invented a revolutionary method of detecting viruses that is based on vibration generated by a small quartz crystal. Their research in Cambridge England, has revealed that by shaking a surface progressively, any virus present on that surface breaks away and, by listening to the sound made as that happens, they are able to detect its presence.
Dr Rossitza Karamanska, a post-doctoral research student from Bulgaria, prepares to load one of the quartz crystals into a prototype flowcell
The new technology is under commercial exploitation by Akubio, a spin-off company formed by the University of Cambridge.
The crystal - less than 1 cm in diameter and 1 mm thick - is actually a sensitive microphone capable of converting the sound into an electrical signal that detects the virus. The method is claimed to be inexpensive, versatile and the results are obtained much more quickly than by conventional techniques. An antibody is used to bind the virus to the surface of the quartz and the crystal is made to vibrate electrically. According to the researchers, when the virus breaks off the crystal, it creates a distinctive sound, much like a twig snapping.
In tests, a herpes simplex virus (which causes cold sores, usually around the mouth) was used. This served as a useful model for more life-threatening viruses, such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and hepatitis B, say the researchers.
For further information contact mc221@cam.ac.uk, www.cam.ac.uk
Further reading:
From the editor's desk: Inspiring the next generation
Technews Publishing
News
Welcome to the August issue of
Dataweek. Peter Howells is still on leave, so I am back for this issue. I hope you enjoy the content and find value in it.
August is Women’s Month in South Africa,
...
Read more...
Procurement is becoming a competitive advantage
RS South Africa
News
As mining, manufacturing and industrial businesses continue to navigate rising costs, supply chain disruption and increasing pressure to improve operational performance, procurement and inventory management have become strategic business priorities rather than simply administrative functions.
Read more...
Powell Electronics signs partnership agreement with IOT Electronics
IOT Electronics
News
Powell Electronics has entered into a partnership agreement with IOT Electronics to strengthen its presence across southern Africa.
Read more...
Omniflex delivers ICCP systems across London
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
News
Omniflex has supplied impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems for a range of prominent buildings across London, helping to protect reinforced concrete structures from corrosion and extending their service life.
Read more...
New appointments for Würth Electronics South Africa
Würth Electronics South Africa
News
New appointments for Würth Electronics South Africa
Read more...
MTN celebrates 80 Western Cape digital graduates
News
Eighty unemployed young people from across the Western Cape have successfully completed MTN South Africa’s Digital Skills for Digital Jobs (DS4DJ) programme, earning accredited qualifications in Data Analytics, Systems Development and Cybersecurity.
Read more...
GirlCode Hackathon 2026 kicks off across South Africa and Botswana
News
GirlCode, in partnership with Absa Group, Truecaller, MTN, SAP Fioneer, RS South Africa and other ecosystem partners, successfully hosted the first leg of the 2026 GirlCode Hackathon.
Read more...
Rooibos heads to space
News
A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has officially launched today with the Rooibos in Space programme at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Local can be international
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of
Dataweek. As you can see from this introduction,
Dataweek’s regular editor, Peter Howells, is on extended leave and I am filling the void in his editor’s column – hopefully without being too boring.
Read more...
Landis+Gyr EMEA introduces new company name: EYKON
News
EYKON is the new company name of Landis+Gyr EMEA, formerly part of the Landis+Gyr Group. The company supports electricity, gas, water and thermal utilities in managing increasingly complex networks, improving operational efficiency and enabling more sustainable use of resources.
Read more...
printer friendly version