Pollen analysis takes flight The UCC research team and the
device which gives an almost instantaneous read-out of what
pollen types might be floating about. From left: Dr David
O'Connor, Dr David Healy and Prof John Sodeau Faster analysis of
what’s in the air is important for hay fever and asthma
sufferers A device originally developed to counter bioterrorism
has been pressed into service in aid of hay fever sufferers and
those with asthma. A research team at UCC has further developed
the technology and it might also be useful for monitoring
airborne bacteria in hospitals. It gives an almost instantaneous
read-out of what pollen types might be floating about but also
fungal spores, plant particles, bacteria and even viruses.
Success with prototype systems has been enough to temp
MeteoSwiss, Switzerland’s met office, to trial the system there.
“The system we have is actually one of a number of prototypes we
are moving forward,” says John Sodeau, professor of physical
chemistry and director of the Centre for Re