High sensitivity cold virus sensor

According to a report by the "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" (The Evening News) on June 20th, a joint research group consisting of Waseda University and Hokkaido University has successfully developed a high-sensitivity influenza virus sensor that is 10,000 times more sensitive than the current influenza virus detection method.

The sensor uses a very small amount of virus to cause a voltage change, making a semiconductor chip that can sense small changes in voltage and has a length of only 1 cm. Experiments have shown that a 0.02 microliter liquid spot equivalent to a drop of nasal drowning water is attached to the chip. If the liquid contains more than 15 viruses, the chip can sense the voltage change within 10 minutes. Replacement of the corresponding chip material will identify the bird flu virus.

The successful development of this device will play an effective role in the early diagnosis, early treatment of influenza, and prevention of the spread of infection.

The project team plans to further develop medical experts and related analytical instrument manufacturers to strive to use 3-5 years to launch practical products for hospitals and families. It is estimated that the cost of the device after mass production can reach around 50 yen per unit. The research results have been published in professional magazines in the United States.