Diamond-based impedimetric and nanophotonic biosensors for the detection of proteins.

This project aims at the development of biosensors for the detection of medically relevant proteins in matrix materials like blood serum. The detection will be based on two complemantary, label-free methods: i) impedance spectroscopy is an established electronic approach, while ii) nanophotonics is a very recent evolution. Both technologies employ synthetic diamond layers which serve at the same time for electronic- and optical sensing purposes. The receptor molecules are immunoglobulins, the classical approach in protein sensing, and in addition also aptamers are employed. These are novel, synthetic receptors with appealing properties concerning synthesis and long-term stability. Due to the miniaturized size of the nanophotonic and impedimetric sensors we make use of microfluids to bring analytes, such as serum droplets, in a targeted way to the sensor spots.

Keywords:Impedance spectroscopy, Microfluids, Nanophotonics, Label-free biosensors, Medical diagnostics, Synthetic diamond layers, Bionanotechnology