Biosensing technologies for the detection of chemical and biological warfare agents in CBRN environments

Abstract

Rapid developments in defense-related science and technology have made the identification of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) warfare agents increasingly critical. CBRN warfare agents pose significant threats in both military and terrorist contexts. CBRN warfare agents have been used historically and continue to pose a potential threat due to their possible use by both state and non-state actors. Effective identification of warfare agents is necessary for both CBRN management and rapid on-site diagnosis and identification of these threats. Therefore, the highly sensitive and rapid detection of chemical and biological warfare agents is essential for the strategic management of risks to human health, the environment, and public safety, as well as for effective CBRN incident management. In order to develop biosensor and detector systems, as well as for incident management, the categories of these agents or their effects on human health must be fundamentally known. General analytical methods, biodetector systems and biosensors are widely used in the identification of CBRN warfare agents. This review critically examines current biosensing strategies and highlights their applicability in real-time CBRN defense scenarios.