title: Chip-based molecular diagnostics using metal nanoparticles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chip-based bioanalytical methods represent a promising approach for a highly parallel and robust analysis with minimal sample volumes. Key process parameters that can be decisive for certain applications are determined by the detection scheme utilized.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review addresses typical requirements of chip-based detection systems, especially for the emerging field of point-of-care diagnostics that make possible field detection with less-trained personnel, robust assays as well as low instrumentation costs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The use of metal nanoparticles as labels represents a promising approach. They exhibit a high stability in signal and new detection schemes that would allow for robustness and low-cost readout.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  First examples of this kind have been established and are in the market, and more are in the development pipeline.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Photonic Technology, POB 100239, 07702 Jena, Germany +49 3641 206304 ; +49 3641 206344 ; fritzsche@ipht-jena.de.
authors.forename: Grit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Festag
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schüler
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steinbrück
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Csáki
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fritzsche