Biosensing With A DNA-Diamond-Silicon Sandwich

Posted by michael on Wednesday March 5, 2003 @05:05AM from the anything-for-homeland-security dept.

Makarand writes "A unique diamond film with DNA attached to it coupled with sensitive microelectronics might be the sensor needed to sniff out harmful biological agents. If DNA is attached to diamond it is possible to electronically detect the electrical response when biomolecules bind to the DNA-diamond surface. A DNA-Diamond interface deposited on a silicon surface can act as a sensitive biosensor. These inexpensive and compact sensors can make it possible to continuously scan public places like airports and subways and send out security alerts to agencies if required."

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Re:inexpensive...diamond by Goldsmith · 2003-03-05 05:40 · Score: 4, Informative

Diamond films are inexpensive, in fact, if you have a decent watch, or glasses you already have one. That's what they use as a scratch resistant coating on a lot of things.

They generally make them from a slab of graphite, which is then heated, sputtered (hit it with high energy gas particles) or otherwise made to vaporize. Then you place what you want to have the film over it above the slab and if you've set the conditions properly (temerpature, pressure, how hot is your carbon vapor), you get a diamond film. All in all, it's relatively inexpensive, but produces nothing like a gem.