Ultrasensitive Biosensor Promising for Medical Diagnostics

The new sensor detects both charged and uncharged biomolecules, allowing a broader range of applications

Researchers have created an ultrasensitive biosensor that could open up new opportunities for early detection of cancer and “personalized medicine” tailored to the specific biochemistry of individual patients.

The device, which could be several hundred times more sensitive than other biosensors, combines the attributes of two distinctly different types of sensors, said Muhammad A. Alam, a Purdue University professor of electrical and computer engineering.

“Individually, both of these types of biosensors have limited sensitivity, but when you combine the two you get something that is better than either,” he said.