IMPEDANCE SPECTROSCOPY OF BIOMOLECULES USING FUNCTIONALIZED NANOPARTICLES

摘要

A biosensor system includes a functionalized interdigitated electrode, functionalized nanoparticles, a current/voltage signal generator, and a circuit analyzer. The interdigitated electrode can be functionalized by coating an exposed surface with first biomolecular probes. The nanoparticles are functionalized by coating an outer surface with second biomolecular probes. A signal generator provides a signal (e.g., an alternating current or voltage) having a selected range of frequencies. A circuit analyzer analyzes electrical parameters of the circuit as the signal is applied. Sensitivity is increased by the presence of functionalized nanoparticles in the system. An analytic method includes measuring changes in electrical parameters of the circuit over the range of frequencies. Using these measurements, the biosensor system can determine whether a target biomolecule is bound. The biosensor system can also identify a biomolecule by comparing the detected signal or "electro-fingerprint" with a reference set of signals over the frequency range.