Development of Self-contained Microelectrochemical Array Assays for Whole Organisms

We report the results of our preliminary studies toward the development of assays for the detection of whole organism using a 1cm2 Au-coated silicon wafer chip for capture. Signal generation involved a VEG4x1{trade mark, serif} chip that contains an array of 16-picoliter geometric volume microwells with self-contained electrochemistry. The 50-μm diameter microwells contain a gold disk electrode at the bottom that serves to seal one end of the well, a 50 nm thick gold electrode embedded along its wall and the top gold layer that also serves as the rim of the well. The self-contained microelectrochemical cell-nature of the microcavity needs only very small volume for signal generation. Initial research on the application of our technology for the detection of C. parvum, G. lamblia, E. coli and B. globigii spores are discussed.