Metal nanoparticles as novel labels for DNA chips
W. Fritzsche*, A. Csaki, R. Möller, J. Reichert, J.M. Köhler
Institute for Physical High Technology,
Jena, GERMANY D-07702
This is an abstract
for a presentation given at the
Eighth
Foresight Conference on Molecular Nanotechnology.
There will be a link from here to the full article when it is
available on the web.
The screening for specific biomolecular binding utilizing biochips bases usually on a flurescence signal. Flurescence labeling is limited regarding the sensitivity and the spatial resolution, and there is a need for a sophisticated detection equipment for sensing and processing the signals. We describe here the application of metal nanoparticles as labels. Such labels were used for an optical detection of DNA-DNA-interaction on glass substrates without the need for a fluorescence set-up. Exposure times down to the ms-range are sufficient to yield an high-contrast image. Another novel method for read-out of DNA-chips is based on an electrical detection of the nanoparticles by using electrode gaps. The specific binding of particles in the gap and an enhancement-scheme based on electroless metal deposition will be demonstrated.
*Corresponding Address:
Wolfgang Fritzsche
Institute for Physical High Technology
PO Box 100239
Jena, GERMANY D-07702
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.geocities.com/wfritzsche/
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