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One solution might be to employ the use of expensive, high tech detectors that can identify the tell-tale molecules released by lung membranes during the early stages of infection.Eventually, experts predict that detectors weighing no more than two kilograms costing less than $5000 will come on the market and such devices will help doctors in their diagnosis. They can also be set up around the city to provide early warning of an airborne pathogen. Other developments include using gadgets such as microscopic electronic chips containing live nerve cells that can warn of the presence of bacterial toxins or viruses.
Like a canary in a coal mine, these chips will let off a steady stream of "chatter" until something kills them. The only drawback is that this "canary in a chip" is unable to detect specific pathogens. Other devices in the pipeline include a fibre optic tube lined with antibodies attached to photon emitting molecules. When toxins or bacteria stimulate these molecules, they light up.
Devices based on antibodies aren’t very useful. First of all, you need the correct antibody. Not easy once you realize the huge number of pathogens (and their corresponding mutations) you need to include. Secondly, most pathogens are able to change their surface proteins from time to time.
For example, a stronger protein coat might enable that protein to live longer in air, thus making it airborne. Even then, even the correct antibodies can only determine the nature of the particle’s surface. Germs can be protected by surface gels or biological polymer "jackets" to foil antibodies. Even normally harmless bacteria can be suitably altered modified to carry nasty genes.
To combat this threat, researchers are trying to harness the potential of RNA analysis. Unlike DNA, RNA is abundant in cells and need not be amplified to be identified. This saves time, and money. Messenger RNA particles reveal not only the nature of the microorganism but also the type of toxin it is producing.