DEVELOPMENT OF A BIOSENSOR NANOFLUIDIC PLATFORM FOR INTEGRATION WITH TERAHERTZ SPECTROSCOPIC SYSTEM

The goal of this project is demonstration of a nanofluidic sensor platform effective for label-free"THz-frequency spectroscopic fingerprinting"of biological molecules for detection, identification, and classification applications. In the Phase I project, the work involved a conceptual design of the proposed nanofluidic sensor package and development of technology for enclosing and wetting of the channels. The microchip was demonstrated to be appropriate for acquisition of THz-frequency spectroscopic features from bio-molecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, proteins) in solution and solid forms. Spectroscopic characterization of biological species inside nanofluidic channels with high sensitivity and high spectral and spatial resolution was demonstrated. In Phase II, a completely functioning nanofluidic sensor platform will be developed, tested, and refined in combination with a THz spectroscopic system. The focus of Phase II will be further developments on the inexpensive nanofluidic technology toward future commercialization and fabrication of an associated interface device to provide a packaged platform, readily interfaced with THz spectroscopy instruments, including commercially available systems. The efforts will aim for stand-alone operation with sample injection and fluidic control built into the platform to facilitate transparent operation by the user.