Abstract
We examine through analytical calculations and finite element simulations how the detection efficiency of disk and wire-like biosensors in unmixed fluids varies with size from the micrometer to nanometer scales. Specifically, we determine the total flux of DNA-like analyte molecules on a sensor as a function of time and flow rate for a sensor incorporated into a microfluidic system. In all cases, sensor size and shape profoundly affect the total analyte flux. The calculations reveal that reported femtomolar detection limits for biomolecular assays are very likely an analyte transport limitation, not a signal transduction limitation. We conclude that without directed transport of biomolecules, individual nanoscale sensors will be limited to picomolar-order sensitivity for practical time scales.
Keywords
AnalyteBiosensorBiomoleculeNanotechnologyMicrofluidicsNanoscopic scaleNanometreMicrometerSensitivity (control systems)Detection limitSIGNAL (programming language)FluidicsMaterials scienceChemistryChromatographyElectronic engineeringPhysicsComputer scienceOptics
Affiliated Institutions
Related Publications
HPLC with enzymatic detection as a candidate reference method for serum creatinine
Abstract We present a candidate Reference Method for determining the concentration of serum creatinine. The method is based on HPLC combined with enzymatic determination. Creati...
Stop and Go Extraction Tips for Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization, Nanoelectrospray, and LC/MS Sample Pretreatment in Proteomics
Proteomics is critically dependent on optimal sample preparation. Particularly, the interface between protein digestion and mass spectrometric analysis has a large influence on ...
Peptide separation with immobilized p<b><i>I</i></b> strips is an attractive alternative to in‐gel protein digestion for proteome analysis
Abstract Complex protein mixtures have traditionally been separated by 2‐DE. Görg introduced IPGs as the first dimension of protein separation. In recent years, MS‐based proteom...
Monitoring Natural and Synthetic Estrogens at Activated Sludge Sewage Treatment Plants and in a Receiving River Water
Sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents with primarily domestic inputs are strongly suspected to be an important source of natural and synthetic estrogens contaminating the aquat...
Publication Info
- Year
- 2005
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 803-807
- Citations
- 607
- Access
- Closed
External Links
Social Impact
Altmetric
PlumX Metrics
Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions
Citation Metrics
607
OpenAlex
Cite This
Paul E. Sheehan,
L. J. Whitman
(2005).
Detection Limits for Nanoscale Biosensors.
Nano Letters
, 5
(4)
, 803-807.
https://doi.org/10.1021/nl050298x
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1021/nl050298x