Detection and differentiation of biological species using microcalorimetric spectroscopy

We report on the application of infrared (IR) microcalorimetric spectroscopy (μ-CalSpec) to the identification and detection of trace amounts of biological species. Our approach combines principles of photothermal IR spectroscopy with ultrasensitive microcantilever (MC) thermal detectors. We have obtained photothermal IR spectra for DNA and RNA bases and for Bacillus Cereus (an anthrax simulant) in the wavelength range of 2.5–14.5 μm (4000–690 cm−1). The measurements are accomplished by absorbing biological materials directly on a MC thermal detector. The main advantage of the developed μ-CalSpec is its unprecedented sensitivity as compared to any of the previously explored IR techniques, including FTIR and photothermal FTIR methods. Our results demonstrate that <10−9 g of a biological sample is sufficient to obtain its characteristic μ-CalSpec spectrum that contains information-rich chemical (vibrational) signatures. This opens up a new opportunity to create inexpensive high-throughput analytical systems for biochemical detection.