ARS | Publication request: A MICROCANTALEVER-BASED PATHOGEN DETECTOR

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings of Nanotechnology Conference 2003
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 23, 2003
Publication Date: February 23, 2003
Citation: Weeks, B.L., Camarero, J., Noy, A., Miller, A., Stanker, L.H., De Yoreo, J. 2003. A microcantalever-based pathogen detector. Symposium Proceedings of Nanotechnology Conference 2003.

Interpretive Summary: The ability to detect small amounts of materials, especially bacterial organisms, is important for medical diagnostics and national security issues. Engineered micro-mechanical systems provide one approach for constructing multifunctional, highly sensitive, real-time, immunospecific biological detectors. We present qualitative detection of specific Salmonella strains using a functionalized silicon nitride microcantilever. Detection is achieved due to a change in the surface stress on the cantilever surface in-situ upon binding of a small number of becteria. Scanning electron micrographs indicate that less than 25 adsorbed bacteria are required for detection.

Technical Abstract: The ability to detect small amounts of materials, especially bacterial organisms, is important for medical diagnostics and national security issues. Engineered micro-mechanical systems provide one approach for constructing multifunctional, highly sensitive, real-time, immunospecific biological detectors. We present qualitative detection of specific Salmonella strains using a functionalized silicon nitride microcantilever. Detection is achieved due to a change in the surface stress on the cantilever surface in-situ upon binding of a small number of becteria. Scanning electron micrographs indicate that less than 25 adsorbed bacteria are required for detection.