A sample plate is analysed using the ground-breaking, matrix-assisted, laser desorption/ionisation, time-of-flight mass spectrometry at Manchester Metropolitan University on Wednesday. The machine, which is able to detect anthrax spores, takes a mass fingerprint of unknown bacteria which can be reliably matched in seconds against a database of quality-controlled reference spectra. This system can then be used for real-time detection of suspect bacteria. —REUTERS