Washington ? Using lasers to measure the scattering of light off vibrating molecules could lead to a new method for quickly detecting anthrax spores and other bioterror agents.

The system is proposed in a paper appearing in Tuesday’s issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The work is in its preliminary stages, acknowledges Marlan O. Scully of Texas A&M University, lead researcher on the project. But it holds the potential to speed up the detection of anthrax and other spores if development can be completed.

Interest in rapid detection of biological agents has increased since the Sept. 11 attacks and the anthrax-by-mail terrorism last fall.

Current detection systems can tell the difference between dust and organic compounds such as bacteria, but they cannot quickly sort the dangerous spores like anthrax from germs that don’t cause disease.