Theory of thermoelectric sensing of bio-molecules - 1=Quantum devices components and systems - 2=Physical Sciences

DNA测序（感知DNA链中碱基的顺序）是改善人类健康的个性化医疗的重要一步。尽管最近取得了进展，但传统的DNA测序方法仍然昂贵且耗时。因此，开发准确、快速、廉价的下一代DNA测序替代品的挑战吸引了巨大的科学兴趣。另一种方法是测量DNA易位时固态膜电学性质的变化。然而，这种传感器的弱信噪比和大的器件间变化限制了它们的应用。该博士项目将探索利用分子尺度热电进行分子传感的创新概念，包括利用塞贝克系数的变化对DNA碱基等分子进行区分传感（塞贝克传感）。在此项目中发展的基础科学将产生重大的学术影响和顶级的科学出版物。将开发的一套理论方法和设计原则将对我们的学术和工业合作伙伴产生直接影响。它还将导致使用有机分子进行未来生物传感的新方法，并对医疗保健技术产生影响。

DNA sequencing (sensing the order of bases in a DNA strand) is an essential step toward personalised medicine for improving human health. Despite recent developments, conventional DNA sequencing methods are still expensive and time consuming. Therefore, the challenge of developing accurate, fast, and inexpensive, next-generation DNA sequencing alternatives has attracted huge scientific interest. An alternative strategy involves measuring changes in the electrical properties of a solid state membrane upon DNA translocation. However, a weak signal-to-noise ratio and a large device to device variation in such sensors have limited their application. This PhD project will exploit an innovative concept of utilising molecular-scale thermoelectricity for molecular sensing, including discriminating sensing of molecules such as DNA bases using changes in the Seebeck coefficient (Seebeck sensing). The fundamental science developed in this project will lead to significant academic impact and top-level scientific publications. The set of theoretical methodologies and design principles that will be developed will have immediate impact on our collaborating academic and industrial partners. It will also lead to new methodologies to use organic molecules for future biosensing with an impact on healthcare technologies.