Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #143709
Title: A MICROCANTALEVER-BASED PATHOGEN DETECTOR

Author
item WEEKS, B. - UC-LAWRENCE LIVERMORE LAB
item CAMARERO, J. - UC-LAWRENCE LIVERMORE LAB
item NOY, A. - UC-LAWRENCE LIVERMORE LAB
item MILLER, A.E. - UC-LAWRENCE LIVERMORE LAB
item Stanker, Larry
item DE YOREO, J.J. - UC-LAWRENCE LIVERMPRE LAB

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings of Nanotechnology Conference 2003
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/23/2003
Publication Date: 2/23/2003
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.