Patent ID: 6057167
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: G01N,G01R,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for sensing a molecule having a magnetic member attached thereto, the magnetic member producing a magnetic field, the apparatus comprising:a first magnetoresistive member;a first molecular receptor including a first chain of a plurality of nucleotides complementary to a second chain of a plurality of nucleotides of the molecule, the first molecular receptor attached to the first magnetoresistive member so that when the molecule is hound with the first molecular receptor, the magnetic field from the magnetic member influences a magnetization-dependent characteristic of the first magnetoresistive member in accordance with a giant magnetoresistance effect; anda readout device coupled to the first magnetoresistive member to produce an electrical signal dependent upon the magnetization-dependent characteristic of the first magnetoresistive member when the molecule is bound with the molecular receptor.