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Scientists create 'Cybertongue' to detect lactose and food toxins

Got Milk? Affirmative.

Claire Reilly Former Principal Video Producer
Claire Reilly was a video host, journalist and producer covering all things space, futurism, science and culture. Whether she's covering breaking news, explaining complex science topics or exploring the weirder sides of tech culture, Claire gets to the heart of why technology matters to everyone. She's been a regular commentator on broadcast news, and in her spare time, she's a cabaret enthusiast, Simpsons aficionado and closet country music lover. She originally hails from Sydney but now calls San Francisco home.
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Claire Reilly
2 min read
The science of milk

Scientists will be able to detect lactose and spoilt milk in almost real time using a new "Cybertongue." 

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You may not be able to stick it in your mouth just yet, but Australian scientists say a new "Cybertongue" can detect allergens in food in close to real time, and could be a game changer for biosecurity and human health.

Developed at the Australian scientific research organisation CSIRO , the device uses "biological sensors" to detect the presence of lactose in milk samples, as well as spoilt milk, according a CSIRO press release Tuesday. The Cybertongue (not really a tongue, but a device about the size of a tissue box that plugs into a laptop) can detect the presence of allergens in close to real time.

"Current diagnostic methods for lactose are expensive and it can take up to a week to receive results," said Dr. Stephen Trowell, former CSIRO researcher and founder of PPB Technology (which has licensed the Cybertongue technology).

"By using a special biosensor for lactose, the Cybertongue technology provides accurate and close to real time measurements anywhere in the production line."

CSIRO has also partnered with PPB Technology to find new uses for technology and to detect other allergens.

"The unique way we have built the technology means we can develop sensors that detect a wide range of substances including toxins, allergens and enzymes," said senior CSIRO researcher Dr. Alisha Anderson.

"In human health this technology could mean potentially fatal health conditions like sepsis could be diagnosed in just a few minutes rather than current methods which take a few hours, potentially leading to faster and more effective treatment."

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