2 Interfacing Biomolecules, Cells and Tissues with Nanowire-based Electrical Devices

Abstract

Detection and qualification of biological and chemical species are critical to many areas of health care and the life sciences, from diagnostic disease to the discovery and screening of new drug molecules. Central to detection is the transduction of a signal associated with the selective recognition of a species of interest. Several approaches have been reported for the detection of biological molecules, including ELISA, surface plasmon resonance, nanoparticles, chemically sensitive field-effect transistors and microcantilevers. Although all have shown feasibility and promising progress applicability, none has yet demonstrated the combination of features required for rapid, highly sensitive multiplexed detection of biomolecules.