Biomolecular screening with encoded porous-silicon photonic crystals

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Frédérique Cunin
  • Thomas A. Schmedake
  • Jamie R. Link
  • Jennifer Kom
  • Sangeeta N. Bhatia
  • Michael J. Sailor

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)39-41
Journal / PublicationNature Materials
Volume1
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2002
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

Strategies to encode or label small particles or beads for use in high-throughput screening and bioassay applications' focus on either spatially differentiated, on-chip arrays2-4 or random distributions of encoded beads5,6. Attempts to encode large numbers of polymeric, metallic or glass beads in random arrays or in fluid suspension have used a variety of entities to provide coded elements (bits) - fluorescent molecules, molecules with specific vibrational signatures7,8, quantum dots9, or discrete metallic layers10. Here we report a method for optically encoding micrometre-sized nanostructured particles of porous silicon. We generate multilayered porous films in crystalline silicon using a periodic electrochemical etch. This results in photonic crystals with well-resolved and narrow optical reflectivity features, whose wavelengths are determined by the etching parameters11. Millions of possible codes can be prepared this way. Micrometre-sized particles are then produced by ultrasonic fracture12, mechanical grinding or by lithographic means. A simple antibody-based bioassay using fluorescently tagged proteins demonstrates the encoding strategy in biologically relevant media.

Citation Format(s)

Biomolecular screening with encoded porous-silicon photonic crystals. / Cunin, Frédérique; Schmedake, Thomas A.; Link, Jamie R. et al.
In: Nature Materials, Vol. 1, No. 1, 09.2002, p. 39-41.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review