Infrared detection of flu viruses

The goal of this paper is to monitor binding of viruses to a model membrane - lipid bilayer - by using Infrared (IR) spectroscopy. IR spectroscopy is a useful spectroscopic tool: it monitors bio-molecular vibrations and provides for molecular fingerprinting. It also provides information on the direction of formed hydrogen bonds when using polarized IR beams. We used graphene-coated IR mesh-screens as substrates. We demonstrated monitoring the attachment of hemagglutinin (HA) from influenza viruses to the proper receptors. Monitoring is limited to monolayer range where bonds are formed.