Patent ID: 8759076

Claim:
A sensor for detecting an electric field fluctuation associated with the permeabilization of a bacterial cell wall, the sensor comprising: a substrate with a top-layer passivation layer; at least two electrodes integrated on the substrate exposed by an opening in the passivation layer, the substrate and the at least two electrodes defining a well between the at least two electrodes, and the at least two electrodes being configured to generate a signal in response to an electric field fluctuation in close proximity to the well triggered when at least one antibacterial agent associated with the well contacts a cognate target; an amplifier integrated on the substrate and configured to generate an amplified signal in response to the signal; a plurality of electrical connectors comprising polysilicon and/or metal wiring layers separated by appropriate insulating layers with appropriate vias and contacts for electrically connecting the at least two electrodes and the amplifier; wherein the substrate, the at least two electrodes, the amplifier and the electrical connectors form a CMOS circuit; and a processor electrically connected to the amplifier to analyze the amplified signal.