Plastic Mircoantilevers for Biodetection

描述（由申请人提供）：基于微悬臂的纳米机械运动的生物传感器装置包括新兴的传感器平台。分子吸附在一个谐振微悬臂梁移动其共振频率;共振位移与悬臂梁质量的变化。另一种更灵敏的检测模式依赖于表面应力的变化。分析物与拴在悬臂梁一个表面上的分子的相互作用引起悬臂梁弯曲的不同表面应力。通过将生物分子识别元件结合到悬臂梁上的薄膜涂层中，可以实现响应的高选择性。这项研究的长期目标是开发一种革命性的微悬臂梁平台技术，用于需要对空气或液体传播的分析物进行灵敏、特异、定量和多重检测的传感应用。拟议的R21/R33项目的近期目标是开发一种塑料微悬臂梁平台技术，用于对复杂混合物中存在的蛋白质进行灵敏、特异、定量、多重和无标记检测。目前，AFM杠杆用于传感应用。它们的尺寸和机械性能远不是传感应用的最佳选择。我们设想了一种革命性的方法来制造专门为传感应用设计的微悬臂梁。我们建议使用低成本，高产量的注射微成型方法制造塑料微悬臂梁阵列。这种方法的固有优点包括悬臂梁的特性可以很容易地调整以满足其预期的应用，并显着降低制造成本（材料，工具和劳动力）。我们的具体目标是集中在探索注射微成型方法制造塑料微悬臂梁，优化其悬臂梁设计，并开发塑料微悬臂梁为基础的免疫测定。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Biosensor devices based on nanomechanical motion of microcantilevers comprise an emerging sensor platform. Molecular adsorption on a resonating microcantilever shifts its resonance frequency; resonance shifts are correlated with changes in cantilever mass. Another more sensitive detection mode relies on changes in surface stress. Interaction of analytes with molecules tethered to one surface of the cantilevers induces differential surface stress that causes cantilever bending. High selectivity in response is achievable through incorporation of biomolecular recognition elements into thin film coatings on the cantilever. The long-range goal of this research is to develop a revolutionary microcantilever platform technology for sensing applications requiring sensitive, specific, quantitative and multiplexed detection of airborne or fluid-borne analytes. The immediate goal of the proposed R21/R33 project is to develop a plastic microcantilever platform technology for sensitive, specific, quantitative, multiplexed, and label-free detection of proteins present in complex mixtures. Currently, the AFM cantilevers are used in sensing applications. Their dimensions and mechanical properties are far from optimal for sensing applications. We envision a revolutionary approach to fabricating microcantilevers specifically designed for sensing applications. We propose fabrication of arrays of plastic microcantilevers using low cost, high yield injection micromolding methods. The inherent advantages of this method include the ease with which the properties of the cantilever can be tuned to meet its intended application and significantly reduced fabrication costs (materials, tooling and labor). Our specific aims are focused on exploring injection micromolding methods for fabricating plastic microcantilevers, optimizing their cantilever design, and developing plastic microcantilever-based immunoassays.