Optical diffraction-based silicon sensors for the detection of DNA sequences

This thesis describes the design, fabrication and characterisation of diffraction-based sensors on silicon (100) substrates for the detection of complementary DNA sequences using colloidal gold labels. In-depth analysis of variations of DNA sequence within the human genome and association with diseases is expected to lead to personalised medical treatment. There is a great need for DNA analysis technologies and for techniques to determine whether sequence variations occur on the same chromosomal strand with applications in disease screening and diagnosis. Novel two-dimensional diffraction structures are designed and fabricated. It is shown that two-dimensional diffraction approaches may potentially offer multiplexing of DNA detection assays.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Ph.D.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Southampton

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Weld, Andrew Mark