Early diagnosis of cancer by electrical detection of nucleic acid biomarkers

Disease diagnosis at an early stage requires the availability of inexpensive platforms which can accurately and rapidly analyze a wide panel of biomarkers, genomic biomarkers in particular. Genetic biomarkers are typically detected through recognition of DNA hybridization events, which is typically performed using DNA microarrays, requiring overnight incubation times, and bulky and costly optical equipment. Here, we present the use of bioactivated microfluidic channels for the real time detection of DNA hybridization electrically. Our technique is several orders of magnitude faster in time compared to the use of microarrays, and two orders of magnitude lower in cost.