Silicon field-effect sensors for biomolecular assays

System-level understanding of biological processes requires the development of novel biosensors capable of quantitative, real-time readout of molecular interactions. Label-free detection methods can minimize costs in time and resources by obviating preparatory steps necessary with label-based methods. They may further be valuable for monitoring biomolecular systems which are difficult or impossible to tag, or for which reporter molecules interfere with biological function. Field-effect sensing is a method of directly sensing intrinsic electrical charge associated with biomolecules without the need for reporter molecules. Microfabrication of field-effect biosensors enables their integration in compact microanalytical systems, as well as the potential to be scaled down in size and up in number. Applying field-effect sensing to the detection and real-time monitoring of specific molecular interactions has long been of interest for protein and nucleic acids analysis. However, these applications are inhibited by serious practical limitations imposed by charge screening in solution. The development of effective measurement techniques requires inquiry into aspects of device engineering, surface chemistry, and buffer conditions. This thesis describes a body of experimental work that investigates the feasibility of label-free analysis of biomolecular interactions by field-effect. This work begins with the microfabrication of field-effect sensors with extremely thin gate oxide, which enables improved surface potential resolution over previously reported sensors.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Cooper, Emily Barbara, 1977-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Scott R. Manalis.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/87450

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/87450