Optimization of thermal resistance system for biosensors

Abstract

A hand-held thermal-sensor device based on the open source Arduino platform will be used for detecting DNA denaturation, also, for monitoring other molecular interactions such as cell-recognition by surface-imprinted polyurethane (SIP) layer immobilized on aluminum substrate. Optimization of the thermal-sensor device has been done by reducing the overshoot in temperature in order to perform thermal-resistance (Rth) measurements on living cells at 37°C. The sensor cell will focus on two different types of macrophages: rat alveolar macrophages (cell line NR8383) and mouse leukemic monocyte macrophages (cell line RAW 264.7), since the shape and membrane groups of macrophages can be correlated with cardiovascular diseases. In DNA measurements, the DNA sample consists of a silicon die covered with a nano-crystalline diamond (NCD) layer. The diamond layer serves as a platform on which the DNA sample will be immobilized on top of the NCD layer.