Michigan State University Researchers Utilize Insects for Advanced PFAS Detection in Great Lakes
Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) are pioneering a novel method for detecting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as 'forever chemicals,' in the Great Lakes region. Dr. Debajit Saha, an associate professor of biomedical engineering at MSU, and his team have discovered that locusts possess the ability to detect PFAS contaminants at concentrations as low as parts per trillion. This level of sensitivity surpasses that of many conventional sensors. The research involves recording the neural activity from the locusts' antennal lobe, the part of their brain responsible for processing smells, to identify responses to PFAS compounds like PFOA, a prevalent contaminant in Michigan waters. This innovative approach aims to overcome the limitations of current detection methods, such as liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), which are powerful but slow and not suitable for real-time, in-field analysis. Doctoral candidate Summer McLane-Svoboda, the lead author of the study, h...
