Nanostructures as platform for biosensors

Abstract

The detection of specific DNA sequences is useful for the detection of specific DNA sequences in gene expression studies and for the detection of mutations in the genome. Expensive, time-consuming and multi-step techniques are currently used for detecting specific DNA sequences. Some examples are denaturation gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), Southern blotting and micro arrays. For these optical techniques labeling or staining is required to visualize the result. Another possible technique is surface plasmon resonance (SPR), for this technique no labeling is required, but miniaturization is hard to achieve. Therefore this research aims to create a sensitive and selective biosensor which overcomes the before mentioned drawbacks. A biosensor which can be miniaturized to a hand-held device for point-of-care testing.

Nanoparticles, made by the micellar approach, are obtained by plasma etching of the metal salt loaded micelles deposited on a substrate (silicon, tantalum pentoxide and