Detection of PspA by Interdigitated Nanogap Devices

Nanogap interdigitated electrodes (NIDEs) can serve as an alternative platform for the biomolecular detection [1]. In this work, the NIDEs were adopted in a simple and sensitive detection of Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA). The NIDEs were fabricated by the combination of photo and chemical lithography. Photolithographically-defined initial gap of about 200 nm was narrowed down to a few tens of nanometers by surface-initiated growth of the initial electrodes (chemical lithography) [2]. Bare silicon oxide surface between the electrodes was chemically modified to immobilize capturing antibodies and, after exposure to the samples, the device was immersed in a solution containing the probe-antibody-conjugated Au nanoparticles (Au NPs). The conductance change accompanied with the Au NP immobilization was interpreted as the existence of PspA. Detection limit of the measurements and further improvement of the detection efficiency were discussed with the results from I-V analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.