Disease diagnosis, forensics and environmental monitoring are among the areas likely to benefit by a system that combines the best of two proven technologies. Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Micromechanical Biochip Array Reader System provides fast and accurate identification of proteins and DNA sequences by using arrays of biochips and cantilevers. The system, dubbed µ-BARS, does not use external labels for detection, and thus avoids the need to use ultraviolet sources and optics to scan the information. In addition, the system uses cantilevers that have not been coated with receptor molecules, thereby avoiding cost and coating uniformity issues. The result of this patented technology developed by a team led by Thomas Thundat of the Life Sciences Division is a sensor with sensitivity 100 to 1,000 times greater than competing technologies, lower cost, smaller size and the capability of fast and continuous operation. Funding was provided by DOE's Office of Biological and Environmental Research.
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