Synergy: Biosensors with Yi Lu (Using DNA to Detect Toxins)

Professor Yi Lu discusses his research in the field of biosensors. Lu highlights his recent work in creating biosensors that use DNA for the detection of toxins such as lead and drugs like cocaine. Lu and his lab members Yu Xiang and Zidong Wang demonstrate how they use gold nanoparticles, DNA dipsticks, a portable fluorometer, and DNA fluorescence to quickly and easily detect the presence of dangerous metals, drugs, and diseases. Lu is a faculty member at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.