DNA chip for the detection of fungi in the air.

Submitted by Aspergillus Administrator on 31 March 2010

This recent article (as yet uncorroborated by a published scientific paper) suggests that a device has been developed which can detect and identify several species of Aspergillus from samples of air. Similar devices are in development in other labs around the world for water samples (review) and other types of samples but this is the first indication that has come to our attention that this technology is to be used for air samples.

The technology (DNA chip technology.) is important because it can detect DNA when it is present in even very tiny amounts. This is particularly useful for working with very dilute samples such as large volumes of drinking water or air as it makes it possible to make accurate detections very quickly – the more established methods (e.g. culturing concentrated samples) would take weeks to achieve the same aim.

Very similar technology has been in use for some years in scientific laboratories to assist in complex fields of research such as cancer. Click here to view a movie of the fundamentals behind the many applications of this technology.

It can also detect specific sequences of DNA which is very useful when combined with DNA sequences that are only found in a single species as it then effectively becomes a tool for identifying specific species – in our case including Aspergillus versicolor & Aspergillus flavus.

Put both of these features on a tiny ‘chip’ on a single glass slide and you have a highly portable device which has the potential to carry out detailed analysis ‘on site’ in short periods of time. These chips are now very cheap to manufacture and are reusable – it isn’t difficult to see them being in routine use in the fairly near future.