Nanoscale optofluidic sensor arrays for Dengue virus detection

In this paper we present our work towards the development of nanoscale optofluidic sensor arrays (NOSAs) for Dengue virus detection. Our approach is based on the use of optically resonant devices whose resonant wavelength is shifted due to a local change in refractive index caused by a positive binding event between a surface bound molecule and it solution phase target. A special two stage micro-/nanofluidics architecture is used to first functionalize the devices and then to deliver the targets. Experimental results measuring the bulk sensitivity of the device are shown to agree extremely well with theory. Preliminary data showing the successful detection of one of the four Dengue virus serotypes is also presented. The primary advantage of these devices over the state of the art is that they combine the extensive property sensitivity (mass limit of detection) of nanosensor devices with the parallelism of the microarray format.