A multichannel DNA SoC for rapid point-of-care gene detection

Point-of-care diagnostics for detection of genetic sequences require biosensing platforms that are sensitive to the target sequence, and are also fast, mass-manufacturable, and - ideally - disposable. Conventional lab-based methods of detecting DNA sequences rely on optical methods, typically by the addition of fluorescent tags to the target DNA that in turn latches onto a DNA probe sequence only if there is a match between the two. These techniques are cumbersome as they require upfront tagging of the DNA with expensive reagents and laboratory equipment to detect the optical signals. Recently, developments have been made in transferring these optical methods to inexpensive CMOS ICs [1], although the requirement for tagging remains. Magnetic beads offer an alternative means of tagging the DNA and their presence can be detected by the shift in resonant frequency of an on-chip LC tank [2]. There have also been attempts based on “label-free” electrochemical detection using FETs [3,4], but none of these have been implemented in unmodified standard CMOS.