Paper-based Biosensor Detects GM Corn and Soybeans

Purdue University experts successfully developed a portable, paper-based biosensor for identifying genetically modified (GM) corn and soybeans. Based on a technology called loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), the biosensor offers a rapid and cheap molecular tool for farmers.

“Farmers can use it whenever they need it,” said Bilal Ahmed, a postdoctoral research associate at Purdue. Ahmed,  Mohit Verma, and co-authors published the details of the new tool in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics. Aside from the GM crop biosensor, the research team has developed detection tools for avian influenza, fecal contamination on produce farms, bovine respiratory disease, and COVID-19.

“This study was the first demonstration from our lab on the use of the biosensors on plant material,” Verma said. “It further demonstrates the use of this LAMP-based technology for One Health applications that cut across ecosystems – human, animal and plant well-being. In addition, we can simplify the use of the biosensors even further through productization as we have demonstrated with Krishi's SherpaTM Vision platform, which uses a solid-state heater instead of a water bath for improved user-friendliness.”

Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization has applied for a patent to protect the intellectual property of the innovation.

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