Michigan Researchers Used Locust Brains to Detect PFAS
Scientists at Michigan State University found that locust neurons can identify PFAS contaminants in the environment.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Environmental
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Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that the antennal lobes in locust brains can detect PFAS chemical contaminants. This biological detection method is capable of identifying pollutants at levels as low as parts per trillion.
Why it matters
Traditional detection methods require slow laboratory processing and struggle to identify multiple PFAS types simultaneously. Developing a biological sensor could allow for real-time monitoring of contaminated sites.
The researchers record neural activity from the antennal lobe of locusts to process smells. The team is currently testing samples from Clark's Marsh and calibrating sensors using material from Tuttle Marsh.
The players
Michigan State University
This is a public research university located in East Lansing where the scientific team conducted the study.
National Science Foundation
This is a federal agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering.
The details
The team successfully used locust neurons to distinguish between polluted and natural environmental samples. They intend to leverage this discovery to build a real-time scanning device to map PFAS levels across the Great Lakes region.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: The research findings were published.
The Big Picture
This research follows a pattern set by the National Science Foundation's environmental sensing research initiatives. It marks a paradigm shift by moving from mechanical liquid chromatography toward biological-based sensory systems for environmental monitoring.
This research could lead to the development of affordable, real-time scanning devices for identifying toxins in water and soil. Such tools would provide residents with immediate data on local contamination levels in the Great Lakes region.
The takeaway
Using biological sensors offers a potential breakthrough for rapidly identifying persistent environmental pollutants. Future deployment of such technology could improve how communities track and respond to chemical contamination.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest Environmental studies conducted in the Great Lakes region.
Live Poll
Are you concerned about the presence of PFAS chemicals in the household products you use daily?
