Biological Detection Systems for Electromagnetic Spectral Signatures

Abstract

An interdisciplinary group of scientists was assembled to examine heat detection by biological systems with the goal of prototyping physical sensors based on the unique mechanisms found in nature. The focus of this research was heat detection systems of snakes and beetles. In conclusion, our evidence strongly supports the hypotheses that receptors in the pit organ of pit vipers are temperature receptors that are spectrally tuned based on the absorptive properties of the surrounding tissue and suggest that unique receptors with high sensitivity to low temperature stimulus are present in the pit membrane enabling this organ to exhibit a highly sensitive and unique response to thermal stimulus. Work is in progress in our laboratory to further elucidate the molecular and cellular basis of heating sensing capability of pit organ.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 13, 2003
Accession Number
ADA414322

Entities

People

  • Ashley J. Welch

Organizations

  • University of Texas at Austin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Detection
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Infrared Detection
  • Infrared Detectors
  • Infrared Radiation
  • Low Temperature
  • Measurement
  • Near Infrared Radiation
  • Optical Detectors
  • Optical Properties
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Polymeric Films

Readers

  • Breast cancer cell signaling and growth regulation.
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Spectroscopy.