Method and apparatus for match quality analysis of analyte binding

Abstract

Described are devices and methods for detecting the match quality and concentration of analytes binding to an electrode surface. The devices utilize a clock to measure capacitance change as a function of time and a temperature controller to measure the capacitance change as a function of temperature.

1 . A device comprising; a surface; a detector configured to detect changes in capacitance on the surface; and a clock configured to keep track of the time as changes in capacitance on the surface occur; and a processor configured to correlate the change in capacitance on the surface with the concentration of the analyte. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the capacitance change is measured utilizing an integrating charge amplifier. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the capacitance change is caused by DNA hybridization, peptide/protein binding, peptide phosphorylation, or aptamer/protein binding. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte is in a conductive solution. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte is in an aqueous solution or conductive gel. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is an electrode surface. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the electrode is part of an array of electrodes fabricated on a single substrate. 
     
     
         8 . A device comprising: a substrate; a functionalized surface configured to bind to selected analytes; a heater configured to heat the surface after one or more selected analytes have bound to the surface; and a detector configured to detect capacitance changes on the surface. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the binding characteristic is the match quality of the analyte and a probe molecule attached to the surface. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the probe is a DNA molecule. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the detector comprises an integrating charge amplifier. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the capacitance change is caused by DNA hybridization, peptide/protein binding, peptide phosphorylation, or aptamer/protein binding. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the surface is an electrode surface. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the electrode is part of an array of electrodes fabricated on a single substrate.