Horseshoe Crab Blood Detects Infections Fast
Horseshoe crab blood clots when it contacts bacteria. Scientists developed the LAL assay from this mechanism to detect pacemaker infections in just 10 minutes. Some U.S. hospitals now require this test before implantation. These ancient creatures haven’t changed much in 450 million years, yet their blue blood provides cutting-edge medical diagnostics today. Their copper-based blood contains special cells that instantly react to bacterial endotoxins at concentrations as low as one part per trillion.