A functionalized THz sensor for marker-free DNA analysis

Abstract

We report on a novel resonant THz sensor for the label-free analysis of DNA molecules. The sensor allows the direct detection of DNA-probe molecules at functionalized electrodes via hybridization. Subsequent time resolved photoconductive sampling of the THz transmission identifies the binding state between probe and target DNA. Integrating neighbouring sensors on a chip, this technique can be extended to a parallel analysis of multiple DNA sequences. A clearly readable sensor response is obtained with less then 40 fmol of 20-mer single-stranded DNA molecules, indicating at least a sevenfold sensitivity increase compared to previous approaches.

Terahertz Emitters, Detectors and Sensors: Current Status and Future Prospects

“…Future prospects of THz technology are discussed. Nagel et al [Nagel et al, 2003] first reported a novel resonant THz sensor for the label-free analysis of DNA molecules. The sensor allows the direct detection of DNA-probe molecules at functionalized electrodes via hybridization.…”

Application of Terahertz Waves to Food Science

“…THz waves are unique, having properties of both electrical and optical waves. Various applications of THz waves have been reported in many fields, including medical diagnosis, pharmaceutical analysis and security enhancement (Nagel et al, 2003;Woodward et al, 2003;Yamamoto et al, 2004aYamamoto et al, , 2004bKawase et al, 2003;Hineno et al, 1974;Taday et al, 2003;Walther et al, 2002). Absorption spectra in the THz range provide rich information for both intermolecular and intramoleculer interactions, including inter-ring interactions of disaccharides (Hineno et al, 1974).…”

Application of Terahertz Absorption Spectroscopy to Evaluation of Aging Variation of Medicine

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is useful for measuring the optical properties between 3 cm -1 (0.1 THz) and 100 cm -1 (3 THz), and gives a better signal-to-noise ratio than far-infrared Fourier transform (FIR FT-IR) spectroscopy. 9,10 Absorption spectra in the THz range are very sensitive to differences in the crystal structure, 11 and are applied to study the polymorphs of medicines.…”