Berlin 2005 – scientific programme

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AKB: Biologische Physik

AKB 200: Poster Session II

AKB 200.62: Poster

Tuesday, March 8, 2005, 17:00–19:00, Poster TU C

Nanomechanical Cantilevers: Versatile, Label-free Biosensors — •Joachim Köser and Felice Mauro Battiston — Concentris GmbH, Davidsbodenstrasse 63, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland

Nanomechanical cantilever sensors are a promising, label-free technology for the detection of biomolecules and the measurement of biomolecular interactions. They allow the real-time study of processes occurring at biological interfaces. Cantilevers are small silicon beams, which are fixed to a solid support at one end and move freely at the other end. They support two complementary sensing principles: While their resonance frequency depends on the mass load, changes in surface stress are reflected by the bending of the cantilevers. Surface stress can forces from conformational changes upon ligand binding or nucleic acid hybridization as well as protein denaturation or misfolding. Further biophysical properties, such as repulsion/attraction of molecules at the sensor surface, or binding of substances from the analyte can be monitored with the appropriate equipment.

We will present novel instrumental developments, which allow reliable, user-friendly measurements with cantilever sensors and open the door for a wider range of applications of this technology in basic research and biochemical analysis. Recent data obtained with our new cantilever sensor platform "Cantisens Research" will be presented.