New Molecular Sensor to detect influenza based on taste

The influenza era is approaching quickly in the northern hemisphere. And a flu test based on the taste could someday You have changed nasal coatings for chewing gum. A new molecular sensor is designed to release a taste of thyme when it meets the flu virus. Researchers reporting Central science ACS They say they are planning to integrate this type of low-tech sensor into gum or pastilia to increase projections at home and possibly prevent pre-symptomatic transmission of the disease.

Staying at home is critical for preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as flu. However, people with influenza are contagious before they develop symptoms. Current influenza diagnostic, such as nasal -based PCR tests, are accurate but slow and expensive. The lateral flow tests at home, similar to those used to test COVID-19, are convenient and generally low cost, but do not catch pre-sympathizing infections.

As written in their published study, Lorenz Meinel and their colleagues face these influenza detection shortages “by removing from complex detectors and machinery and to a detector available for anyone, everywhere and at all times: the language. ”

The team developed a molecular sensor that releases a taste that human languages ​​- thymol, found in the spice thyme. The sensor is based on a substrate of glycoprotein of the influenza virus called neurminidase (“N” in H1N1). Influenza viruses use neuralidase to break certain bonds in the host cell to infect it. Thus, the researchers make up a neurminidase substrate and bind a thyme molecule to it. Thymol is recorded as a strong botanical taste in the tongue. Theoretically, when the synthetic sensor is in the mouth of someone who is infected by the flu, the viruses by the thyrmol molecules and their taste is detected by the tongue.

After the development of their molecular sensor, the researchers conducted laboratory tests with it. In vials with human saliva by people diagnosed with the flu, the sensor released free thymol within 30 minutes. When they examined the sensor in human and mice, they did not change the function of the cells. Then Meinel and Team hope to start clinical trials of people in about two years to confirm the taste sensors of incense in people with pre- and post-symptomatic flu.

If incorporated into bites or pastries, “This sensor could be a fast and accessible front -line projection tool to help protect people in high -risk environments,“Meinel says.