Azerbaijan National Academy of Science

Rats with super-sensitive noses that can sniff out land mines are being developed in the US by military-funded researchers.

The project was approved after scientists created genetically modified “super-sniffer” mice that can be programmed to detect specific smells.

In laboratory experiments, the mice were given DNA that heightened their sensitivity to a sweet-smelling chemical and tiny traces of an unpleasant odour they tried to avoid.

Now the team from New York City University has received funding from the USDepartment of Defence to develop rats with the same ability that can detect explosives and potentially uncover land mines.

Other possible spin-offs from the research include a “nose-on-a-chip” that can diagnose diseases from their smell.

The scientists, led by biologist Dr Paul Feinstein, wrote in the journal Cell Reports: “We have produced biosensors with an enhanced inherent sense of smell, which can be applied to address global health and safety challenges such as identification of explosives, contraband searches, and odour-based disease diagnosis.”

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