Patent ID: 7785785
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: B82Y,C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A device for detecting a chemical reaction of a selected reactant with a target molecule, wherein the reaction produces a charge perturbation on the target molecule, comprising: (a) a container for containing reaction medium having therein reactants and target molecules; (b) a polarizable metal electrode in the container adjacent the target molecules, having a potential difference within said electrode between an exposed surface of the polarizable metal electrode which is facing the reaction medium and a side of the polarizable electrode which is not facing the reaction medium; (c) said amplifying circuit comprising a voltage clamp amplifier having one input attached to a fixed voltage source, and another input attached to the polarizable metal electrode attached to a side of the polarizable metal electrode which is not facing the reaction medium, for maintaining said potential difference in the electrode and generating a signal in response to said charge perturbation, said charge perturbation on the target molecule causing a polarizable metal electrode surface charge perturbation and polarization; and (d) a detector for detecting the signal, detected by the electrode as a transient current, thereby indicating reaction of the selected reactant with the target molecule.