Title: Label-free detection of biomaterials using terahertz technology

Authors: Rafal Wilk, Felix Stewing, Frank Rutz, Thomas Kleine-Ostmann, Martin Koch

Addresses: Institut fur Hochfrequenztechnik, Technische Universitat Braunschweig, Schleinitzstrasse 22, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany. ' Institut fur Hochfrequenztechnik, Technische Universitat Braunschweig, Schleinitzstrasse 22, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany. ' Institut fur Hochfrequenztechnik, Technische Universitat Braunschweig, Schleinitzstrasse 22, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany. ' Institut fur Hochfrequenztechnik, Technische Universitat Braunschweig, Schleinitzstrasse 22, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany. ' Institut fur Hochfrequenztechnik, Technische Universitat Braunschweig, Schleinitzstrasse 22, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany

Abstract: We present terahertz (THz) absorption spectra of various biomolecules (tripeptide gly-gly-gly and oligo-nucleotides poly[A] and poly[C]). While the tripeptide shows unique resonances in the THz range due to intramolecular vibrations, the different oligo-nucleotides can be distinguished due to different absorption properties. In space-resolved THz free-space measurements, we were able to repeatedly distinguish between dried drops of poly[A] and poly[C]. In addition, we present the design for a new class of filters for on-chip analysis of biomaterials. As compared to filters described earlier in the literature, the new structures have an increased sensitivity and require much less biomaterial.

Keywords: THz spectroscopy; biomolecules; DNA analysis; marker-free gene tests; THz filters; terahertz technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2005.008067

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2005 Vol.2 No.3, pp.303 - 311

Published online: 11 Nov 2005 *

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