New Ultrasensitive Electronic Sensor Array Speeds Up DNA Detection

A new electronic sensor array has just been developed in Singapore's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. The sensor array has the ability to detect and analyze DNA strands with higher sensitivity. The new sensor seems to be more rapid, cost-efficient and accurate than other sensors. How it works is the biosensor traces the DNA and translates it into an electrical signal for computer analysis. The sensor is said to be more effective because of the two surfaces that sandwich the DNA strand. The two surfaces allow for ultrasensitive detection of DNA strands in a more efficient manner. Also, the two surfaces are coated with a chemical "capture probe" solution that makes DNA strands stick to the two coated surfaces so that DNA analysis is easier. The new biosensor is said to be cost-effective because the sensor can be mass-produced for expanded usage. Usually, DNA strands are dectected using the polymerase chain reaction, which is useful, but can be time-consuming and costly. The biosensor can be used in pandemic situations where results can be found quickly, as compared to using PCR to detect DNA strands. The new biosensor array leads to a promising future that can allow DNA detection and analysis in a more acceleterated, accurate and cost-efficient way. This could lead to a quicker and earlier diagnosis and detection of different diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other viruses.

I found this article interesting because I love reading about the invention of different types of nanotechnology that help either the diagnosis or hopefully the cure for cancer and other types of diseases. The biosensor uses nanotechnology for more efficient DNA detection and analysis so that there is a possiblity that cancer and other harmful diseases may be treated and cured in the future.

Article: http://www.biology-online.org/articles/ultrasensitive-electronic-sensor-array-speeds.html