New Flu Test From UGA

Researchers devise fast, inexpensive way to determine whether someone has flu--and what type of flu.

During a flu outbreak, it’s critical that public health officials determine an accurate diagnosis very quickly. But until now, medical and health officials have had to chose between a rapid test that isn’t very reliable or a time-consuming, accurate test. Scientists at the University of Georgia have developed a new flu test that offers the best of both worlds, according to a report in a recent issue of the journal Analyst. The technology first coats gold nanoparticles with antibodies that bind to specific strains of the flu virus. It then measures how the nanoparticles scatter laser light. In this way, it can detect influenza in minutes, costing only a fraction of a cent per exam. "We've known for a long time that you can use antibodies to…

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