NER: 3D nanostructures for acceleration of DNA hybridization by electrodeless di-electrophoresis

生物分子装置的灵敏度受到靶DNA分子向捕获探针DNA传感器的缓慢扩散的显著限制，从而减慢结合和杂交动力学，特别是在纳摩尔或更低水平的靶分析物的检测极限下。 在这项工作中将制造3D边缘和收缩型纳米结构，以使用无电极介电泳（EDEP）配置选择性地预浓缩紧邻捕获探针的靶DNA或其他生物分子，所述配置由AC场中的电浮动金属边缘和/或收缩组成，用于局部增强场梯度，以及在生物分子预浓缩体积内不存在驱动电极以防止生物分子损伤。在预浓缩研究中将使用短DNA片段（500 bp），以定量绘制效率和捕获力响应与频率的关系图。这样的设计最终可以应用于加速DNA与捕获探针的结合和杂交，从而大大提高检测灵敏度。纳米结构制造将在弗吉尼亚大学（UVA）进行，最终传感器集成的生物分子预浓缩研究将在亚利桑那州州立大学（ASU）AZ生物设计研究所进行。从这个跨学科的研究工作的创新将作为在MRSEC未来的课程和当前的课程在UVA的MEMS和生物电的内容。

Swami0403963The sensitivity of biomolecular devices is significantly limited by the slow diffusion of target DNA molecules towards capture probe DNA sensors, thereby slowing binding and hybridization kinetics, especially at detection limits of nanomolar or less levels of target analyte. 3D edge and constriction type nanostructures will be fabricated in this work to selectively pre-concentrate target DNA or other biomolecules in close proximity to capture probes using an electrodeless di-electrophoresis (EDEP) configuration that consists of electrically floating metal edges and/or constrictions in an AC field for local enhancement of field gradient, and the absence of drive electrodes within the biomolecule preconcentration volume to prevent biomolecule damage. Short DNA fragments ( 500 bp) will be used in the preconcentration study to quantitatively map out the efficiency and the trapping force response versus frequency. Such designs may eventually be applied for the acceleration of DNA binding and hybridization to capture probes, thereby greatly improving detection sensitivity. Nanostructure fabrication will be conducted at the University of Virginia (UVA) and biomolecule preconcentration studies for eventual sensor integration will be carried out at Arizona State University's (ASU) AZ Biodesign Institute. Innovations from this interdisciplinary research work will be drawn upon as content for future courses at the MRSEC and current courses in MEMS and Bioelectricity at UVA.