Professor Raj Mutharasan of the department of chemical and biological engineering was featured on ABC Action News on September 15th, 2006. After the recent E. coli outbreak nationwide, and three cases reported in Pennsylvania, Professor Mutharasan was asked to discuss how the research he conducts on biosensors could prevent E.coli outbreaks in the future. Dr. Mutharasan’s research group is studying the use of piezoelectric-excited millimeter-sized cantilever sensors to detect pathogens and toxins such as E. coli. The goal of this research will be for widespread use of the sensor infood processing plants to reduce the chance of contamination spreading to consumers.

To read more about the E. coli outbreak, visit 6ABC.com's article: "Bagged Spinach Pulled from the Shelves". Accompanying this article, in the Related Links section, is the video
"The Latest on the Tainted Spinach" featuring Professor Mutharasan's discussion of the E.coli outbreak and how biosensors could prevent future outbreaks.