A coupled cantilever-microelectrode biosensor for enhanced pathogen detection

A pathogen detection platform that integrates electrokinetically accelerated sampling with electromechanical signal transduction is presented. Detection of pathogens without the need for cultivation is achieved by employing a prototype device that combines microelectrodes embedded directly onto the surface of a cantilever beam. Escherichia coli bacteria captured on the surface of the cantilever with the aid of AC electrokinetic effects (dielectrophoresis) within 30min of sampling time were found to cause substantial resonant frequency shifts compared to unassisted capture. The effect of the cantilever's resonant mode was also examined in order to identify conditions that can improve detection sensitivity.