SOI-Nanowire Biosensors for High-Sensitivity Protein and Gene Detection

Abstract

The development of genome and proteomic technologies is related, first of all, to the progress recently achieved in developing of high-sensitivity, rapid methods for registration and analysis of nucleic acids and proteins. One of such methods, combining high sensitivity and high response speed, is the nanowire (NW) detection technique. This technique allows one to register analyte species in real time without using labels. Nowadays, the concentration sensitivity of such systems in registering proteins and DNAs reaches the femtomolar level. In the present chapter, we consider nanowire sensor systems based on silicon nanowire field-effect transistors. We discuss the achieved potential in detecting low-copy proteins with the help of nanowire systems. We show that it is possible to use not only antibodies, but also aptamers, as probing molecules for biospecific protein detection. We also discuss the possibility of using nanowire detectors in genome studies.

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Ultracompact on-chip photothermal power monitor based on silicon hybrid plasmonic waveguides

“…For example, in a "self-configuring" optical communication system, power monitoring is usually needed for controlling the power level of optical signals to minimize the impact of environmental variations as well as mutual crosstalk effects when some channels are added or dropped [2]. For optical sensing, which is becoming more and more attractive for numerous applications, including environment monitoring [7][8][9] and human health [10][11][12], power monitors are also indispensable for detecting the power variation of the optical signal.…”