Magnetic nanoparticles, magnetic detector arrays, and methods for their use in detecting biological molecules
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorsShan X. Wang, Robert L. White, Chris D. Webb, Guanxiong Li
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Abstract
Magnetic nanoparticles and methods for their use in detecting biological molecules are disclosed. The magnetic nanoparticles can be attached to nucleic acid molecules, which are then captured by a complementary sequence attached to a detector, such as a spin valve detector or a magnetic tunnel junction detector. The detection of the bound magnetic nanoparticle can be achieved with high specificity and sensitivity.
Claims17
A spin valve detector array useful for the detection of magnetic nanoparticles, the detector array comprising:
- a plurality of detection sites, wherein each of the plurality of detection sites comprise:
- a first ferromagnetic layer;
- a non-magnetic layer facially contacting the first ferromagnetic layer;
- a second ferromagnetic layer facially contacting the non-magnetic layer;
- an ultrathin passivation layer facially contacting the second ferromagnetic layer;
- and
- a binding molecule bonded to the passivation layer, wherein the binding molecule is at least one of a nucleic acid, a natural DNA, a synthetic DNA, a natural RNA, a synthetic RNA, a peptide, a protein, an antibody, a lipid, a virus, a polymer, a toxin compound, a pharmaceutical compound, a biohazard compound, or an explosive compound;
- a DC bias field source;
- and
- an AC tickling field source.
A spin valve detector array useful for the detection of magnetic nanoparticles, the detector array comprising:
- a plurality of detection sites, wherein each of the plurality of detection sites comprise:
- a first ferromagnetic layer;
- a non-magnetic layer facially contacting the first ferromagnetic layer;
- a second ferromagnetic layer facially contacting the non-magnetic layer;
- an ultrathin passivation layer facially contacting the second ferromagnetic layer;
- and
- a binding molecule bonded to the passivation layer, wherein the binding molecule is at least one of a nucleic acid, a natural DNA, a synthetic DNA, a natural RNA, a synthetic RNA, a peptide, a protein, an antibody, a lipid, a virus, a polymer, a toxin compound, a pharmaceutical compound, a biohazard compound, or an explosive compound;
- and
- a reference detector, wherein the reference detector comprises a polymer coating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.