Jaime García-Rupérez

Label-free antibody detection using band edge fringes in SOI planar photonic crystal waveguides in the slow-light regime

We report experimental results of label-free anti-bovine serum albumin (anti-BSA) antibody detection using a SOI planar photonic crystal waveguide previously bio-functionalized with complementary BSA antigen probes. Sharp fringes appearing in the slow-light regime near the edge of the guided band are used to perform the sensing. We have modeled the presence of these band edge fringes and demonstrated the possibility of using them for sensing purposes by performing refractive index variations detection, achieving a sensitivity of 174.8 nm/RIU. Then, label-free anti-BSA biosensing experiments have been carried out, estimating a surface mass density detection limit below 2.1 pg/mm2 and a total mass detection limit below 0.2 fg.

Single-strand DNA detection using a planar photonic-crystal-waveguide-based sensor

We report an experimental demonstration of single-strand DNA (ssDNA) detection at room temperature using a photonic-crystal-waveguide-based optical sensor. The sensor surface was previously biofunctionalized with ssDNA probes to be used as specific target receptors. Our experiments showed that it is possible to detect these hybridization events using planar photonic-crystal structures, reaching an estimated detection limit as low as 19.8 nM for the detection of the complementary DNA strand.

Real-time and low-cost sensing technique based on photonic bandgap structures

A technique for the development of low-cost and high-sensitivity photonic biosensing devices is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In this technique, a photonic bandgap structure is used as transducer, but its readout is performed by simply using a broadband source, an optical filter, and a power meter, without the need of obtaining the transmission spectrum of the structure; thus, a really low-cost system and real-time results are achieved. Experimental results show that it is possible to detect very low refractive index variations, achieving a detection limit below 2×10(-6) refractive index units using this low-cost measuring technique.

Photonic Crystal Biosensor Chip for Label-Free Detection of Bacteria

Narrow polarization-mixing resonances in planar photonic crystals are studied as candidate components for label-free refractive index sensors for detecting bacteria causing sepsis through the identification of DNA strands

Real-time observation of antigen–antibody association using a low-cost biosensing system based on photonic bandgap structures

In this letter, we present experimental results of antibody detection using a biosensor based on photonic bandgap structures, which are interrogated using a power-based readout technique. This interrogation method allows a real-time monitoring of the association process between the antigen probes and the target antibodies, allowing the instantaneous observation of any interaction event between molecules. because etunable lasers and optical spectrum analyzers are avoided for the readout, a drastic reduction of the final cost of the platform is obtained. Furthermore, the performance of the biosensing system is significantly enhanced due to the large number of data values obtained per second.

Single strand DNA hybridization sensing using photonic crystal waveguide based sensor

We report an experimental demonstration of single-strand DNA detection at room temperature using a photonic crystal waveguide based optical sensor. A detection limit of 19.8nM is obtained.

Real-Time and In-Flow Sensing Using a High Sensitivity Porous Silicon Microcavity-Based Sensor

Porous silicon seems to be an appropriate material platform for the development of high-sensitivity and low-cost optical sensors, as their porous nature increases the interaction with the target substances, and their fabrication process is very simple and inexpensive. In this paper, we present the experimental development of a porous silicon microcavity sensor and its use for real-time in-flow sensing application. A high-sensitivity configuration was designed and then fabricated, by electrochemically etching a silicon wafer. Refractive index sensing experiments were realized by flowing several dilutions with decreasing refractive indices, and measuring the spectral shift in real-time. The porous silicon microcavity sensor showed a very linear response over a wide refractive index range, with a sensitivity around 1000 nm/refractive index unit (RIU), which allowed us to directly detect refractive index variations in the 10−7 RIU range.

Covalent attachment of biotinylated molecular beacons via thiol-ene coupling. A study on conformational changes upon hybridization and streptavidin binding

AbstractThe authors describe a method for the detection of DNA by using immobilized molecular beacons (MBs) on the surface of silicon, with a view on possible application in biosensing. MB hybridization and protein recognition were interrogated on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) surfaces by using fluorescently tagged probes. In order to better understand the conformational changes that occur to MBs upon hybridization, the process was studied by using dual polarization interferometry (DPI). A model system was developed that matches thickness, mass, and density parameters. The results experimentally demonstrate that hybridization promotes the displacement of a protein away from the surface. This finding may be further exploited in techniques such as photonic sensors, thereby paving the way to the design of more sensitive biosensors based on the use of MBs. Graphical abstractSchematic of a new DNA/RNA detection scheme by using immobilized molecular beacons (MBs) on silicon, with a view on possible application in biosensing. A study was performed on the conformational changes that occur to MBs upon hybridization by Dual Polarization Interferometry (DPI).

DNA Detection Using a Photonic Crystal Waveguide Sensor

We report an experimental demonstration of DNA detection using a photonic crystal waveguide based optical sensor. A detection limit of 110nM is achieved for hybridized biotinylated DNA oligomers on the streptavidin-coated Silicon biosensor.

Experimental Study of the Oriented Immobilization of Antibodies on Photonic Sensing Structures by Using Protein A as an Intermediate Layer

A proper antibody immobilization on a biosensor is a crucial step in order to obtain a high sensitivity to be able to detect low target analyte concentrations. In this paper, we present an experimental study of the immobilization process of antibodies as bioreceptors on a photonic ring resonator sensor. A protein A intermediate layer was created on the sensor surface in order to obtain an oriented immobilization of the antibodies, which enhances the interaction with the target antigens to be detected. The anti-bovine serum albumin (antiBSA)-bovine serum albumin (BSA) pair was used as a model for our study. An opto-fluidic setup was developed in order to flow the different reagents and, simultaneously, to monitor in real-time the spectral response of the photonic sensing structure. The antiBSA immobilization and the BSA detection, their repeatability, and specificity were studied in different conditions of the sensor surface. Finally, an experimental limit of detection for BSA recognition of only 1 ng/mL was obtained.