Method and apparatus for detecting DNA hybridization
First Claim
1. An apparatus for identifying an unknown DNA sample, said apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of detection nodes, each of said detection nodes operable for allowing an interaction between a known DNA sample and an unknown DNA sample, and for generating an output signal if hybridization occurs between said known DNA sample and said unknown DNA sample; and
a decoder operative for receiving an input signal indicative of which of said plurality of detection nodes should be selected for processing, and for outputting control signals which operate to activate said selected detection node;
wherein each of said detection nodes includes a first floating gate transistor comprising a floating gate terminal having said known DNA sample and said unknown DNA sample disposed thereon, said first floating gate transistor having a conductance value which varies if hybridization occurs between said known DNA sample and said unknown DNA sample contained in said detection node, said change in said conductance value is operative for generating said output signal.
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Abstract
An apparatus for identifying an unknown DNA sample. The apparatus includes a plurality of detection nodes, each of which is operable for allowing an interaction between a known DNA sample and an unknown DNA sample, and for generating an output signal if hybridization occurs between the known DNA sample and the unknown DNA sample. The apparatus further includes a decoder operative for receiving an input signal indicative of which of the plurality of detection nodes should be selected for processing and for outputting control signals which operate to activate the selected detection node. Further, each of the detection nodes comprises a first floating gate transistor having a conductance value which varies if hybridization occurs between the known DNA sample and the unknown DNA sample contained in the first transistor. This change of conductance value is utilized to generate the output signal which indicates that hybridization has occurred.
43 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for identifying an unknown DNA sample, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of detection nodes, each of said detection nodes operable for allowing an interaction between a known DNA sample and an unknown DNA sample, and for generating an output signal if hybridization occurs between said known DNA sample and said unknown DNA sample; and
a decoder operative for receiving an input signal indicative of which of said plurality of detection nodes should be selected for processing, and for outputting control signals which operate to activate said selected detection node;
wherein each of said detection nodes includes a first floating gate transistor comprising a floating gate terminal having said known DNA sample and said unknown DNA sample disposed thereon, said first floating gate transistor having a conductance value which varies if hybridization occurs between said known DNA sample and said unknown DNA sample contained in said detection node, said change in said conductance value is operative for generating said output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A biosensor cell for identifying an unknown DNA sample, said cell comprising:
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a first voltage divider circuit capable of generating a first reference voltage signal;
a second voltage divider circuit capable of generating a second reference voltage signal; and
a differential amplifier receiving said first reference voltage signal and said second reference voltage signal as input signals, and for generating an output signal, said output signal representing a difference between said first reference voltage signal and said second reference voltage signal;
wherein said second voltage divider circuit includes a first floating gate transistor comprising a floating gate terminal having a known DNA sample disposed thereon and capable of receiving said unknown DNA sample, said first floating gate transistor having a conductance value which varies if hybridization occurs between said known DNA sample and said unknown DNA sample when said unknown DNA sample is delivered to said floating gate terminal of said first floating gate transistor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A biosensor cell for identifying an unknown DNA sample, said cell comprising:
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means for generating a first reference voltage signal;
means for generating a second reference voltage signal; and
means for receiving said first reference voltage signal and said second reference voltage signal as input signals, and for generating an output signal, said output signal representing a difference between said first reference voltage signal and said second reference voltage signal;
wherein said means for generating said first reference voltage includes a first floating gate transistor comprising a floating gate terminal having a known DNA sample disposed thereon and capable of receiving said unknown DNA sample, said first floating gate transistor having a conductance value which varies if hybridization occurs between said known DNA sample and said unknown DNA sample when said unknown DNA sample is delivered to said first floating gate terminal of said first floating gate transistor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of identifying an unknown DNA sample, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating a first reference voltage signal;
generating a second reference voltage signal utilizing a first floating gate transistor having a floating gate terminal, said floating gate terminal having a known DNA sample disposed thereon and capable of receiving said unknown DNA sample, said first floating gate transistor having a conductance value which varies if hybridization occurs between said known DNA sample and said unknown DNA sample when said unknown DNA sample is delivered to said floating gate terminal; and
generating an output signal representing a difference between said first reference voltage signal and said second reference voltage signal. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification