title: Photonic biosensor based on photocorrosion of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum heterostructures for detection of Legionella pneumophila.
abstract: Photocorrosion of semiconductors is strongly sensitive to the presence of surface states, and it could be influenced by electrically charged molecules immobilized near the semiconductor/electrolyte interface. The underlying mechanism is related to band bending of the semiconductor structure near the surface and the associated distribution of excited electrons and holes. The authors have employed photoluminescence of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum heterostructures for monitoring in situ the photocorrosion effect, and demonstrating detection of nongrowing Legionella pneumophila suspended in phosphate buffered saline solution. Antibody functionalized samples allowed direct detection of these bacteria at 10(4) bacteria/ml. The authors discuss the sensitivity of the process related to the ability of creating conditions suitable for photocorrosion proceeding at extremely slow rates and the interaction of an electric charge of bacteria with the surface of a biofunctionalized semiconductor.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Institute for Technological Innovation (3IT), CNRS UMI-3463, Université de Sherbrooke, 3000 boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 0A5, Canada and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 2R1, Canada.
authors.forename: Mohammad R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Aziziyan
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Institute for Technological Innovation (3IT), CNRS UMI-3463, Université de Sherbrooke, 3000 boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 0A5, Canada and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 2R1, Canada.
authors.forename: Walid M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Hassen
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Institute for Technological Innovation (3IT), CNRS UMI-3463, Université de Sherbrooke, 3000 boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 0A5, Canada and Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 2R1, Canada.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Institute for Technological Innovation (3IT), CNRS UMI-3463, Université de Sherbrooke, 3000 boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 0A5, Canada and Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12 Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada.
authors.forename: Eric H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Institute for Technological Innovation (3IT), CNRS UMI-3463, Université de Sherbrooke, 3000 boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 0A5, Canada and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 2R1, Canada.
authors.forename: Jan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Dubowski
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity