Rapid determination of nanotoxicity using luminous bacteria.

A new luminescence-based toxicity test using luminous bacteria as a reporting agent has been developed to determine EC(50) of different nanomaterials, such as gold nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes on living organisms. The whole assay takes only about 15 min and is as sensitive as other standard methods. Due to its technical simplicity, rapidity and sensitivity, this luminescent bacteria test has the potential to be developed as a general test of toxicity for a wide variety of nanomaterials.