Microdevices for Biomolecular Detection

Scott Manalis

Microdevices for Biomolecular Detection
Our research focuses on developing quantitative, high throughput and real-time measurement techniques for measuring molecular interactions in biological systems. We use standard silicon microfabrication principles to develop novel molecular detection schemes and we configure them for biomolecular recognition. Successful validation of these methods requires the integration of engineering and biological approaches, and hence this work is enabled by the interdisciplinary environment of MIT.

Many critical characteristics of a living system can be discovered by monitoring parameters such as DNA sequence variation, gene expression, and protein interactions as a function of time, physiological response, and disease state. The most sensitive assays available today rely on fluorescent or radioactive labeling, which require multistep sample preparation methods and relatively large sample volumes. Hence, assay development and throughput can represent critical bottlenecks for large-scale applications. Therefore, we are developing sensitive and efficient label-free methods for measuring specific proteins and DNA that will be suitable for very large numbers of very small samples.

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