Patent ID: 9188594
Filing Date: 2015-11-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for determining the presence of a specific compound in a solution, the method comprising the steps of: i) selectively functionalizing with a first receptor, suitable for binding the specific compound in the solution, a semiconductor channel formed in a semiconductor layer of a sensor, the channel having nano-scale cross-sectional dimensions, wherein the nano-scale channel has at least one exposed lateral face, wherein only the exposed lateral face or faces is functionalized; ii) adding the solution to a reservoir of the sensor; iii) adding to the solution a second receptor that is suitable for binding the specific compound when the specific compound is bound to the first receptor, wherein the second receptor is attached to an enzyme; iv) adding to the solution a second compound that is a substrate for the enzyme, wherein the enzyme attached to the second receptor acts upon the substrate to produce a change in an electrical property of the sensor; and v) measuring the electrical property in the sensor before and after the application of the second compound, wherein a difference in the electrical property is indicative of the presence of the specific compound in the solution.