Public Title Integrated Micro-mechanical Sensor for Detection of Cell Viability Division Lead Inventor Bashir, Rashid Public Description Background: Potentiometric measurements are commonly utilized in chemical, biophysical and biochemical studies to determine hydrogen ion concentrations (pH), specific ion concentrations, and measurements of redox potentials in a media that may, or does contain biological material. Prior techniques for measurements include using glass electrodes and redox measurements with metal electrodes. There is a great interest in miniaturizing of devices for sensitive and reliable measurements of biologically significant parameters, and in increasing the accuracy of measurements while utilizing smaller amounts of sampling media exposed to the detecting apparatus. Description: The invention described herein is capable of detecting and measuring changes in hydrogen ion concentrations, redox potential, and/or selective ion concentrations within a monitored media, including accurate measurement of the biological activity of living organisms within the media. The invention utilizes microcantilevers with at least one material coated on one surface. The opposing is relatively inert in comparison with the material coated surface. The coating material of one embodiment accumulates surface charge in direct proportion to the physical and chemical parameters within the media. As the surface charge density increases on one side of the microcantilever, a deflection of the microcantilever occurs in proportion to the parameter measured within the media. Advantages: + High sensitivity and resolution limits + Small quantities of substances needed for analysis + Miniaturized, portable and even implantable sensor devices + Micro fabricated + Successfully utilized for detection of o Protein adsorption o Antibody-antigen recognition o DNA hybridization + Because cantilever motion originates from the free-energy change induced by specific biomolecular binding, this technique may offer a common platform fro high throughput label -free analysis of protein-protein binding, DNA hybridization, and DNA-protein interactions, as well as drug discovery Patent Status Public References Key Words Manager Joseph Trebley Email jptrebley@prf.org Telephone Fax 765-496-1277   Back to List