In situ detection of single micron-sized magnetic beads using magnetic tunnel junction sensors

Abstract
We have demonstrated the use of highly sensitive magnetic tunnel junction(MTJ)sensors for the detection of individual micron-sized magnetic labels. By integrating the MTJsensor into a microfluidic channel, we were able to detect the presence of moving superparamagnetic beads (Dynabeads® M-280) in real time by direct measurement of the magnetic dipole fields associated with single beads. The dipolar fields of a single bead were sufficient to obtain a signal of 80 μ V with signal to noise ratio of 24 dB in an applied field of 15 Oe . Our data show conclusively that MTJsensors are very promising candidates for future applications involving the accurate detection and identification of biomolecules with magnetic labels.