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| Image created by Dr. Michael J. Miller |
A new study published in the New Journal of Chemistry introduces an innovative approach to detecting anthrax biomarkers. The team has developed a bismuth-based metal–organic framework (Bi-MOF) proportional fluorescence sensor capable of identifying 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (DPA), a molecular signature of Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax, with exceptional speed and sensitivity.
Bacillus anthracis is one of the most dangerous zoonotic pathogens, known both for naturally occurring outbreaks and its potential misuse as a biological weapon. Rapid identification of infection is critical to enabling timely treatment, preventing large-scale spread, and supporting biodefense preparedness. Traditional detection methods can be slow or resource-intensive, delaying critical response measures.
Key Findings of the Study
The researchers created a new sensor made from a special material called a metal–organic framework combined with europium, a rare earth element. This design allows the sensor to “light up” in two different colors when tested.
- One color stays steady, acting as a built-in reference point.
- The other color fades when the anthrax marker (DPA) is present.
By comparing these two light signals, the sensor can tell very quickly and very clearly whether anthrax is present—almost like a traffic light system where the change is easy to spot.
The tests showed that the sensor can:
- Detect very small amounts of the anthrax marker (down to less than one-millionth of a gram in a liter of water).
- Give reliable results across a wide range of concentrations.
In simple terms, this makes the sensor both highly sensitive and trustworthy, which are essential features for any tool that might be used in emergency response or public health protection.
Implications for Global Health Security
For public health and biodefense stakeholders, this breakthrough provides a potential platform for field-deployable anthrax detection systems. Faster diagnostics mean:
- Quicker treatment for infected patients.
- Earlier interventions to stop outbreaks.
- Enhanced surveillance in high-risk environments, from livestock monitoring to postal and airport security screening.
In an era where emerging infectious diseases and biothreats pose growing risks, improving diagnostic technology directly strengthens both public health security and national defense readiness.
Broader Significance for the Public and National Interest
Although anthrax outbreaks are rare, their potential impact on human health and security is profound. For the general public, tools like this sensor mean greater safety and preparedness, ensuring authorities can act swiftly to prevent exposure during accidental or deliberate release events. At the national level, such technologies bolster biosecurity infrastructure, offering governments a stronger defense against biological threats while reducing public anxiety over potential attacks or epidemics.
Looking Ahead
The authors emphasize that this new method provides a sensitive and reliable alternative strategy for anthrax biomarker detection. While further validation and field-testing will be required before it can be deployed at scale, the innovation underscores how advances in chemistry and material science can directly serve public health needs.
As governments and health organizations worldwide seek to strengthen pandemic preparedness and biodefense capabilities, integrating advanced diagnostic tools like the Eu@Bi-MOF sensor could prove transformative.
Reference
Guo, H., Zhuang, D., Yu, Z., et al. A bismuth-based MOF proportional fluorescence sensor for the rapid and sensitive detection of an anthrax biomarker. New Journal of Chemistry, July 25, 2025.
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is a highly dangerous zoonotic pathogen that poses a considerable threat to public health. Rapid and accurate detection of the biomarker 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (DPA) is necessary for the effective prevention and treatment of infections caused by this microorganism. Here, a new method for detecting DPA using a bi-emission ratio fluorescence sensor based on a bismuth organic skeleton (Bi-MOF) is developed. The dual-emission ratio fluorescent sensor (Eu@Bi-MOF) is prepared by Eu3+ functionalizing Bi-MOF, synthesized through using bismuth nitrate as the metal node and 1,3,5-phenyltricarboxylic acid as the ligand, with a post-synthetic modification method and exhibits a sensitive fluorescent response to DPA. In the presence of DPA, the fluorescence intensity of the Eu@Bi-MOF sensor at 438 nm remains unchanged, while the red fluorescence emission at 615 nm was significantly quenched due to the internal filtration effect (IFE). The fluorescence intensity ratio I438/I615 shows a good linear relationship with DPA concentration in the range of 0.5–60 μM, and the detection limit is as low as 0.36 μM. This method provides a sensitive and reliable alternative strategy for rapid DPA monitoring.