A model of an optical biosensor detecting environment

TL;DR

This paper models an innovative optical biosensor that uses DNA wrapped around nanostructures to detect environmental contaminants via changes in DNA structure, proposing new designs with graphene ribbons.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model for DNA-based optical biosensors using nanostructures and suggests replacing carbon nanotubes with graphene ribbons for improved design.

Findings

Explains the working principle of DNA-based optical sensors.

Proposes new sensor designs using graphene ribbons.

Analyzes the detection mechanism based on DNA structural changes.

Abstract

Heller et. Al. (Science 311, 508 (2006)) demonstrated the first DNA-CN optical sensor by wrapping a piece of double-stranded DNA around the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CN). This new type of optical device can be placed inside living cells and detect trace amounts of harmful contaminants by means of near infrared light. Using a simple exciton theory in nanostructures and the phenomena of B-Z structural phase transition of DNA, we investigate the working principle of this new class of optical biosensor from DNA by using the nanostructure surface as a sensor to detect the property change of DNA as it responds to the presence of target ions. We also propose some new design models by replacing carbon nanotubes with graphene ribbon semiconductors.