Fiber-optic-based biosensor: signal enhancement in a production model

Abstract
A fiber optic-based biosensor which integrates a novel array of optical and electrical components, together with long fused silica fibers and proteins for detection of analyte in solution has been put into limited production. The optical fiber core near the distal end is tapered and coated with either antibodies or DNA binding proteins. Assays are performed by flowing a solution containing the fluorescently tagged ligand molecules over the coated fiber. Within seconds, analyte recognition occurs and a fluorescence signal is transmitted back up the fiber. Applications for the biosensor include clinical diagnostics, pollution control, and environmental monitoring. Ten of the laboratory devices described in this article have been constructed and are being used for assay development. In addition, the prototype of a truly portable device has recently been built and is now being tested.

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