Understanding the Role of Nanomaterials in DNA Biosensors Through Finite Element Analysis

J. C. Kumaradas[1], A. Zhang[2], Y. D. Davletshin[1]
[1]Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
[2]University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
Published in 2013

Tremendous progress is being made in the integration of nanoparticles into micro-analytical systems for biosensing. These materials are shown to enhance the analyte capture capability of biosensing platforms. We have implemented a computational model that considers the sensor’s geometry, size, analyte concentration and type to predict the number of nucleic acid molecules captured by functionalized electrodes in clinically relevant durations. The model uses COMSOL Multiphysics®, in which analyte transport in the bulk phase is modeled as 3D diffusion, and analyte transport on the sensor (solid phase) is modeled as 2D surface diffusion. The models are being used to understand the role of nanomaterials in biosensing. This enables the collective optimization of the sensor’s sensitivity and speed by changing the geometry and size of the nanoparticles.