Abstract:
In this talk, I will discuss the current status of our project in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute on developing low cost, fast and portable biosensors for detecting certain types of cancers based on gene expression. Our technique uses floating gate carbon nanotube field effect transistor arrays to detect electronic charges that accumulate on the gate. The method does not involve chemical functionalization of the carbon nanotubes and compatible with protocols in conventional DNA microarrays. Most importantly, the technique does not require reporter molecules or tagging labels, which greatly simplifies and reduces the cost of operation. We have shown a measurable response to hybridization with target concentration down to ~1 nM. Our efforts are now focused beyond proof of concept and into actual design optimization. The background, implementation, theory of operation, as well as solutions to pertinent engineering issues to build marketable systems will be discussed.

Bio:
R.D. Gomez is a professor of electrical and computer engineering with interests in electronics and magnetics of small structures. He obtained his PhD from the University of Maryland in Physics. He has co-authored over seventy papers in various fields of atomic physics, surface science, magnetics, and biosensing. He has taught basic circuit theory, microelectronics, electromagnetic theory, quantum theory and magnetism. He is the PI for a collaborative research project involving UMCP, NIH and NASA for developing nanobiosensors.