Biosensors

Latest Innovations
Simultaneous Identification of Mechanical and Optical Properties of Single Viruses using a Single Device Professor Bahl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a device that can identify both optical and mechanical... Read More Professor Bahl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a device that can identify both optical and mechanical properties of single viruses with much higher throughput than current methods. This method takes us one step closer to identify the virus rather than just detect it. The rapid label-free identification of viruses can bring about a revolution in human health diagnostics and therapeutics.
Coupled Heterogeneous Nanowire Nanoplate Planar Transistor Sensors for Giant Nernst Response Researchers at the University of Illinois and Purdue University have designed new Ion-Sensitive Field Effect Transistors (ISFETs) for monitoring the pH of... Read More Researchers at the University of Illinois and Purdue University have designed new Ion-Sensitive Field Effect Transistors (ISFETs) for monitoring the pH of electrolytes with >10 V/pH Nernst response with a top-down CMOS compatible approach. This technology may be useful for biomedical applications like prton-based genome sequencers, pharmaceutical testing, and environmental toxin monitoring.
New Way to Detect DNA Changes Researchers from the University of Illinois have identified a new, cheaper and easier way to detect methylation (alterations) of DNA. By measuring the methylation... Read More Researchers from the University of Illinois have identified a new, cheaper and easier way to detect methylation (alterations) of DNA. By measuring the methylation of certain DNA sequences, doctors can predict the likelihood of cancers and other disorders. This early detection has the potential to save lives.
DNAzyme Sensors for Soduim and Lithium Dr. Yi Lu has developed a point-of-contact device for the portable and affordable detection of molecules important in physiology and disease. This technology, based on... Read More Dr. Yi Lu has developed a point-of-contact device for the portable and affordable detection of molecules important in physiology and disease. This technology, based on highly specific nucleotide molecules known as DNAzymes, can detect physiological levels of metal ions such as sodium and lithium, which play an important role in bipolar disease. A modification of this technology, based on DNA molecules known as aptamers, can be adapted to detect the food adulterant melamine, which has resulted in death of thousands of infants and pets. Detection of these molecules can be performed at home with the commercially available glucose meters.
Novel Use for Personal Glucose Meters University of Illinois researchers have identified a new use for hand-held glucose meters to detect a variety of new disorders. By measuring the concentration of a... Read More University of Illinois researchers have identified a new use for hand-held glucose meters to detect a variety of new disorders. By measuring the concentration of a certain cofactor, the glucose meter can correlate the reading to other non-diabetes diseases.
Near Ultraviolet-Wavelength Photonic-Crystal Biosensor with Enhanced Surface-to-Bulk Sensitivity Ratio Biosensors based on one- or two-dimensional photonic-crystal reflectance filters operating at near-ultraviolet wavelengths. The biosensors feature a tightly... Read More Biosensors based on one- or two-dimensional photonic-crystal reflectance filters operating at near-ultraviolet wavelengths. The biosensors feature a tightly confined resonant electric field at the surface of this biosensor and provide a high surface-sensitivity to bulk-sensitivity ratio, enabling enhanced detection resolution for biomolecules adsorbed on the biosensor surface. These new biosensors can be fabricated in mass by replica molding and are especially well suited for applications requiring the detection of small molecules or ultra-low analyte concentrations.
Distributed Feedback Laser Biosensor A biosensor based upon a vertically emitting, distributed feedback (DFB) laser. The DFB laser comprises a replica-molded, one- or two-dimensional dielectric... Read More A biosensor based upon a vertically emitting, distributed feedback (DFB) laser. The DFB laser comprises a replica-molded, one- or two-dimensional dielectric grating coated with a laser dye-doped-polymer as the gain medium. A sensor is also described in which the grating layer and the active layer are combined into a single layer. DFB lasers using an inorganic or organic thin film with alternating regions of high and low index of refraction as the active layer are also disclosed. The sensor actively generates its own narrowband high intensity light output without stringent requirements for coupling alignment, thereby resulting in a simple, robust illumination and detection configuration.
Project Diagnosis of Trimethylaminuria with a Handheld Optoelectronic Nose The inventors have developed a sensitive handheld device which can detect TMA vapors at concentrations well below the diagnostically significant... Read More The inventors have developed a sensitive handheld device which can detect TMA vapors at concentrations well below the diagnostically significant concentration of TMA. Current methods require expensive instrumentation, complicated preparation of sensors, lack of portability, and long times of analysis. Benefits Method of detection not limited to handheld devices (which the manuscript addresses) First report of a line reader/sensor for a biological application Novel method of TMA detection
Nanoporous Organic Semiconductor Thin Films Fabrication Dr. Ying Diao has identified a new nanoporous thin film fabrication method using simple solution processing methods applicable to both polymer... Read More Dr. Ying Diao has identified a new nanoporous thin film fabrication method using simple solution processing methods applicable to both polymer and small molecule semiconductors. Using the novel additive method, she has developed a OFET chemical sensors comprising of nanoporous thin film. Templated by the nanostructured PVP:HAD layer, the pore sizes in the semiconductor layer are widely tunable from 50 nm to 1µm. Compared to the currently available sensors, the invention exhibited ultrafast and ultrasensitive response to ammonia as well as formaldehyde molecules down to 1ppb at hundred-millisecond time scale, a breakthrough of 10-fold sensitivity enhancement. The excellent performance, simple fabrication, and diverse form-factors of nanoporous transistors has opened up a wide range of applications of the invention in the fields of personal health and environmental monitoring, both fields which demand sensors with high sensitivity on the ppb level with fast response.
PathTracker Drs. Cunningham and Bashir have developed a novel point of care diagnostic device capable of detecting pathogen infection from a single drop of blood. A blood sample is... Read More Drs. Cunningham and Bashir have developed a novel point of care diagnostic device capable of detecting pathogen infection from a single drop of blood. A blood sample is channeled through a microfluidics device allowing amplification of viral DNA/RNA of interest, which is then detected using a uses smartphone. Infection information is then uploaded allowing tracking of infections geographically. Immediate uses for the technology are for diagnosis of viral infection in human patients (Zika, dengue, and Chikungunya) and diagnosis of respiratory infection in equine populations (Equine herpesvirus, Equine influenza, Strangles, Equine adenovirus type 1, and Equine arteritis virus). Further uses include water testing, food safety, and pharmaceutical quality control.