title: Thin film biosensor for rapid visual detection of nucleic acid targets.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have developed a silicon-based biosensor that generates a visual signal in response to nucleic acid targets.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this system, capture oligonucleotide probes are immobilized on the surface of the biosensor. Interaction of the capture probes with a complementary target and a biotinylated detector oligonucleotide allows initiation of formation of an organic thin film on the biosensor. Thin film formation is completed by enzymatic activity of peroxidase conjugated to an anti-biotin antibody. Peroxidase catalyzes deposition of an insoluble product onto the silicon surface, generating a uniform thin film. The increased thickness on the surface alters the perceived color of the biosensor through changes in the interference patterns of reflected light from the surface, causing a color change from gold to purple.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The biosensor results may be evaluated by direct visual inspection or quantified by ellipsometry. Results are obtained in 25 min with a detection limit of 5 pmol/L (150 amol/sample). Selectivity of the biosensor is demonstrated by discrimination of single nucleotide mismatches. Multitarget arrays are also analyzed with the thin film biosensor, and the system is capable of detecting targets from human serum and urine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The biosensor surface is inexpensive to produce, and the assay format is simple and rapid. The thin film biosensor is adaptable to a wide variety of nucleic acid detection applications, including rapid diagnostic testing for infectious disease panels, antibiotic resistance panels, or allelic discrimination of specific genetic markers.
authors.affiliation: BioStar, Inc., 6655 Lookout Rd., Boulder, CO 80301, USA. rmo@csn.net
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ostroff
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Haeberli
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Baouchi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Polisky
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D012825:Silicon
chemical_list: D009696:Nucleic Acids; D012825:Silicon