Issue 10, 2017

Integration of digital microfluidics with whispering-gallery mode sensors for label-free detection of biomolecules

Abstract

We present a multi-sensor chip comprising an array of whispering-gallery mode (WGM) micro-goblet lasers integrated into a digital microfluidic (DMF) system. In contrast to earlier demonstrations, the lasers are fabricated from dye-doped poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) at low cost using spin-coating, mask-based optical lithography, wet chemical etching, and thermal reflow techniques. Pumping and read-out of the devices is accomplished via simple free-space optics, thereby allowing large-scale sensor arrays to be addressed. We demonstrate the viability of the system by bulk refractive index-sensing and by measuring the specific binding of streptavidin to a biotinylated sensor surface. This is the first time that optical cavities are used for label-free detection of biomolecules in a DMF system. This approach can be extended to a versatile detector platform that targets a wide range of clinically relevant biomolecules.

Graphical abstract: Integration of digital microfluidics with whispering-gallery mode sensors for label-free detection of biomolecules

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
20 Dec 2016
Accepted
05 Apr 2017
First published
06 Apr 2017

Lab Chip, 2017,17, 1740-1748

Integration of digital microfluidics with whispering-gallery mode sensors for label-free detection of biomolecules

S. F. Wondimu, S. von der Ecken, R. Ahrens, W. Freude, A. E. Guber and C. Koos, Lab Chip, 2017, 17, 1740 DOI: 10.1039/C6LC01556E

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