Nanostructures in Biodiagnostics*

Abstract

This chapter aims to review some of the major advances and milestones in the field of detection systems based upon nanomaterials and their roles in biodiagnostic screening for nucleic acids, proteins, and some biologically relevant small molecules and metal ions. It focuses on some of the key fundamental properties of certain nanostructures that make them ideal for specific diagnostic applications. In chip-based biodiagnostic detection formats the capture molecules on chip surfaces are patterned on the microscale. Protein and small molecule detection strategies that incorporate nanoparticles typically rely on the specific interactions between nanoparticle-bound antibodies with the target protein and the resulting effects these interactions have on the optical signature of the nanoparticles. Tailorable physical properties are a very important aspect of nanomaterials. The sharp melting transitions associated with these nanoparticle probes derive from the dense loading of oligonucleotides on their surfaces and their ability to bind to complementary DNA in a highly cooperative manner.

Topics & Concepts