DOST develops nanotechnology that can detect virus, bacteria, cancer cells

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Industrial Technology Development Institute developed a nanotechnology that can detect bacteria, viruses, and even cancer cells.

Featured by Martin Javier in the "Game Changer" segment of "24 Oras" on Monday, Carbon Quantum Dots are a type of nanotechnology that glows with the use of UV light.

“Ang Carbon Quantum Dots ay isang klase ng material na sobrang liit. Ngayon sa sobrang liit niya nagkakaroon siya ng unique na properties. kapag ito'y nailawan ng UV light ito ay naggo-glow,” developer Mar Christian Que.

(Carbon Quantum Dots are material that are very small. Due to its size, it has unique properties like glowing when illuminated with a UV light.)

Unlike other quantum dots that are made of heavy materials, the DOST nanotechnology is sustainable since it is made of the biowaste of calamansi peel and pineapple leaves.

During the test, it has detected and illuminated E. coli bacteria, a pathogen found in contaminated food.

“Mula dito, saka natin pwedeng pag-aralan uli kung paano ito epektibong magagamit sa mga food packaging na may sensors para malaman natin kung ang pagkain ay safe bang kainin o hindi,” Que said.

(From here, we can study how effective it can be used in food packaging with a sensor that can indicate whether the food is safe to eat or not.)

In creating the Carbon Quantum Dots, the dry calamansi peel and pineapple leaves will be placed in a Teflon container along with an acid solution.

The mixture will then be placed in a reactor and heated in an oven for 12 to 18 hours before it can be effective.

The Carbon Quantum Dots can be modified to determine which bacteria, virus, or cancer cells it will hold onto.

The Philippines earlier featured the nanotechnology at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News