ABSTRACT
Magnetic biosensors, particularly giant magnetoresistive (GMR) biosensors based on spin-valve sensors, used to detect surface binding reactions of biological molecules labeled with magnetic particles possess the potential to compete with ¦uorescent-based biosensors, which currently dominate the application space in both research and clinical settings. Magnetic biosensing o¥ers several key advantages over conventional optical techniques and other competing sensing modalities. že samples (blood, urine, serum, etc.) naturally lack any detectable magnetic content, providing a sensing platform with a very low background. Additionally, magnetic tags do not su¥er from problems that have plagued ¦uorescent labels such as label-bleaching and auto¦uorescence. Second, the sensors can be arrayed and multiplexed to perform complex protein or nucleic acid analysis in a single assay without resorting to optical scanning. Finally, the sensors are compatible with standard silicon integrated circuit (IC) technology allowing them to be manufactured cheaply with integrated electronic readout, in mass quantities, and to be deployed in a one-time use, disposable format. že technology is scalable and capable of being integrated, making it appealing for point-of-care (POC) testing applications.
