Biological sensor based on a lateral electric field-excited resonator

• Published in: IEEE transactions on ultrasonics, ferroelectrics, and frequency control Vol. 59; no. 5; pp. 963 - 969
• Main Authors: Zaitsev, B. D., Kuznetsova, I. E., Shikhabudinov, A. M., Ignatov, O. V., Guliy, O. I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States IEEE 01.05.2012; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Acoustics; Azospirillum brasilense - chemistry; Bacteriology; Bacteriophages - chemistry; Biosensing Techniques - instrumentation; Biosensing Techniques - methods; Biosensors; Electric Impedance; Electrochemical Techniques - instrumentation; Electrodes; Equipment Design; Escherichia coli - chemistry; Escherichia coli - virology; Impedance; Microbial Interactions - physiology; Microbiology; Microorganisms; Niobium - chemistry; Oxides - chemistry; Resonant frequency; Suspensions; Water - chemistry
• DOI: 10.1109/TUFFC.2012.2281
• ISSN: 0885-3010; 1525-8955

This paper describes a biological sensor based on a lateral electric field-excited resonator using an X-cut lithium niobate plate. Its potential was shown through the example of biological interaction between bacterial cells and specific bacteriophages. The detection was based on the analysis of the measured real and imaginary parts of electrical impedance for a resonator loaded by the biological suspension under study. It has been shown that the sensor is sensitive to specific interactions between bacterial cells and specific bacteriophages in a pure state as well as in the presence of extraneous microflora. The degree of electrical impedance variation resulting from the biological interaction depends on the numbers of phage particles and bacteria cells. The sensor may be used not only for the qualitative analysis of bacteria but also for their quantitative detection.