Biomolecule Detection via Target Mediated Nanoparticle Aggregation and Dielectrophoretic Impedance Measurement

Philip J. Costanzo, University of California - Davis
Enzhu Liang, University of California - Davis
Timothy E. Patten, University of California - Davis
Scott D. Collins, University of Maine - Main
Rosemary L. Smith, University of California - Davis

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Copyright © 2005 The Royal Society. The definitive version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/b417535b.

NOTE: At the time of publication, the author Philip Costanzo was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.

Abstract

A new biosensing system is described that is based on the aggregation of nanoparticles by a target biological molecule and dielectrophoretic impedance measurement of these aggregates. The aggregation process was verified within a microchannel via fluorescence microscopy, demonstrating that this process can be used in a real time sensor application. Positive dielectrophoresis is employed to capture the nanoparticle aggregates at the edge of thin film electrodes, where their presence is detected either by optical imaging via fluorescence microscopy or by measuring the change in electrical impedance between adjacent electrodes. The electrical detection mechanism demonstrates the potential for this method as a micro total analysis system (mTAS).