Photoluminescent semiconductor materials

Abstract

Semiconductor materials having a porous texture are modified with a recognition element and produce a photoluminescent response on exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The recognition elements, which can be selected from biomolecular, organic and inorganic moieties, interact with a target analyte to produce a modulated photoluminescent response, as compared with that of semiconductor materials modified with a recognition element only.

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         31 . A method for detecting a target analyte comprising: 
 (a) irradiating a complex with at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation in the range of from about 100 nm to about 1000 nm, wherein said complex comprises a sample suspected of containing said target analyte and a sensor composition, and    (b) detecting a luminescent response in the range of from about 200 nm to about 800 n,    wherein said sensor composition comprises at least one porous semiconductor material modified with at least one recognition element,    wherein said recognition element is capable of specifically binding to said target analyte,    and wherein said luminescent response is produced by said porous semiconductor composition and is modified upon binding of said target analyte to said recognition element.    
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the intensity of said luminescent response is modified upon binding of said target analyte to said recognition element.  
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the wavelength of said luminescent response is modified upon binding of said target analyte to said recognition element.  
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein said recognition element is selected from the group consisting of proteins, nucleic acids, oligonucleotides, lectins, carbohydrates, glycoproteins, lipids and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein said recognition element is a protein.  
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein said recognition element is an antibody or antibody fragment.  
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein said target analyte is selected from the group consisting of inorganic, organic and biomolecular compounds.  
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein said target analyte is selected from the group consisting of proteins, polypeptides, peptides, toxins, metabolic regulators, enzyme substrates, complementary oligonucleotide sequences; single-stranded DNA, single-stranded RNA; hormonal receptor ligands and lectin ligands.  
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein said target analyte is selected from the group consisting of antigens, nerve agents, pesticides, and insecticides;.  
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein said recognition element is covalently bonded to said semiconductor material.  
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein said recognition element is bound to said semiconductor material via at least one primary linker.  
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein said semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of silicon, silicon carbide, silicon dioxide, germanium, gallium, gallium arsenide, silicon gallium phosphide, cadmium, selenium, copper oxide and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 42 , wherein said semiconductor material further comprises a dopant for said semiconductor material.  
     
     
         44 . A method for detecting an organism comprising: 
 (a) irradiating a complex with at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation in the range of from about 100 nm to about 1000 nm, wherein said complex comprises a sample suspected of containing said organism and a sensor composition, and    (b) detecting a luminescent response in the range of from about 200 nm to about 800 nm,    wherein said sensor composition comprises at least one porous semiconductor material modified with at least one recognition element,    wherein said recognition element is capable of specifically binding to said organism,    and wherein said luminescent response is produced by said porous semiconductor composition and is modified upon binding of said organism to said recognition element.    
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein the intensity of said luminescent response is modified upon binding of said target analyte to said recognition element.  
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein the wavelength of said luminescent response is modified upon binding of said target analyte to said recognition element.  
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein said recognition element is selected from the group consisting of proteins, lectins, carbohydrates, glycoproteins, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein said recognition element is a protein.  
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein said recognition element is an antibody or antibody fragment.  
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein said target analyte is an organism selected from the group consisting of bacteria, viruses, yeast, fingi and microbial spores.