Square-microfiber-integrated biosensor for label-free DNA hybridization detection

A compact square-microfiber-integrated biosensor is proposed and experimentally demonstrated for label-free detection of DNA hybridization process. The proposed biosensor is constructed by splicing a square microfiber fabricated using a square fiber based on flame scanning technique with two segments of standard single-mode fibers. The square microfiber with strong evanescent field is immobilized with bio-recognition genetic DNA to capture target genetic DNA. The transmission spectral characteristics of the proposed biosensor is analyzed and the dynamic spectral response is investigated as well by monitoring the DNA hybridization process in real time. Owing to its cost-effective, real-time detection, and high integration, the proposed biosensor provides a promising approach for label-free genetic sequencing and an efficient platform for biological specificity recognition. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.