Researchers
at the Fresnel Institute in Marseille and ICFO, Institute for Photonic Sciences
in Barcelona have designed and built the smallest optical device capable of
detecting and sensing individual biomolecules at concentrations similar to
those found in cells.
The device
consists on a tiny dimer (dual) sensor made out of two gold semi-spheres,
separated from each other by a gap as small as 15nm (size of a protein
molecule). Light sent to this antenna is enormously amplified in the gap region
where the actual detection of the biomolecule of interest occurs. Because
amplification of the light is confined to the dimensions of the gap, only
molecules present in this tiny region are detected.
The optical
device offers a highly efficient platform for performing a multitude of
nanoscale biochemical assessments with single-molecule sensitivity at
physiological conditions. It could be used for ultrasensitive sensing of minute
amounts of molecules, as an early diagnostic device for biosensing of many
disease markers.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-06/iiop-cim061013.php
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