Analyses and Diagnostics based on Nanomechanics

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• Prof. Christoph Gerber, University of Basel, Switzerland
• Friday 16 May 2008, 14:30-15:30
• IRC in Superconductivity Seminar room.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Dr James Bendall.

In recent years we have taken AFM Technology way beyond imaging exploring new frontiers in bio analyses and diagnostics. Micro-fabricated silicon cantilevers arrays offer a novel label-free approach where ligand-receptor binding interactions occurring on the sensor generate nanomechanical signals like bending or a change in mass that is optically detected in-situ. We report the detection of multiple unlabelled biomolecules simultaneously down to picomolar concentrations within minutes. Differential measurements including reference cantilevers on an array of eight sensors enables sequence-specific detection of unlabelled DNA and is suitable to detect specific gene fragments within a complete genome (gene fishing). Expression of detection of inducible genes and the detection of total RNA fragments in a unspecific back ground.will be shown. Ligand-receptor binding interactions, such as antigen recognition will be presented. Antibody activated cantilevers with sFv (single chain fragments) which bind to the indicator proteins show a significant improved sensitivity which is comparable with SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance). In addition this technology offers a brought variety of receptor molecules application such as e.g. membrane protein recognition, micro-organism detection, enantiomeric separation. New coating procedures, enlargement of the active surface area by dendritic molecules as well as improvement of the receptor-cantilever chemical bond will be presented. This new findings may lead to a novel individual diagnostic assay in a combined label-free GENOMI Cs and PROTEOMIC biomarker sensor (COMBIOSENS) We foresee this novel technology being used as a tool to be applied in the upcoming field of system biology and preventive medicine to evaluate treatment response efficacy for personalized medical diagnostics.

This talk is part of the Nanoscience Centre Seminar Series series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• IRC in Superconductivity Seminar room
• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• Cambridge Infectious Diseases
• Dobson Group - General Interest
• Nanoscience Centre Seminar Series
• School of Physical Sciences
• School of Technology

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