Detection of DNA labeled with magnetic nanoparticles using MgO-based magnetic tunnel junction sensors

Abstract

We have demonstrated the detection of 2.5μM target DNA labeled with 16nm Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and 50nm commercial MACS™ NPs using arrays of magnetic tunnel junction sensors with (001)-oriented MgO barrier layers. Signal-to-noise ratios of 25 and 12 were obtained with Fe3O4 and MACS™ NPs, respectively. These data show conclusively that MgO-based MTJ sensor arrays are very promising candidates for future applications involving the accurate detection and identification of biomolecules tagged with magnetic nanoparticles.