title: Rapid discrimination of DNA strands using an opto-calorimetric microcantilever sensor.
abstract: A rapid technique for quantitative detection and discrimination of DNA strands without using immobilized probe molecules is demonstrated using an opto-calorimetric, self-powered sensor based on a Pb(Zr(0.52)Ti(0.48))O3 (PZT) microcantilever. Microcalorimetric infrared (IR) spectroscopy provides excellent chemical selectivity based on the unique molecular vibrational characteristics of each nucleotide in the mid IR region. The piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of the PZT microcantilever were exploited in the quantitative detection and discrimination of adsorbed DNA strands with their spectral characteristics. We report the unique spectral characteristics of different DNA nucleotides that are monitored by wavelength-dependent temperature variations for different relative molar ratio of each nucleotide. This approach offers a fast, label-free technique which is highly sensitive and selective for the detection of single nucleotide differences in DNA strands and has the potential to be used as a rapid prescreening biosensor for various biomolecules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2V4, Canada. dongkyu@ualberta.ca.
authors.forename: Dongkyu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kyo Seon
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Seonghwan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thundat
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D002151:Calorimetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry*; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded