Detection of fluorescence-based aptamer assay through thin film optoelectronic devices

This work presents a bio-microsystem, based on thin film optoelectronic devices, for the on-chip detection of fluorescence-based aptamer assay. The on-chip fluorescence detection is achieved through the combination of amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) photosensors and a thin film interferential filter, while the aptamer-based biomolecular recognition takes place in a microfluidic network functionalized with polymer brushes. The system has been tested toward the detection of Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin with toxic and carcinogenic effects, showing a limit of detection equal to 1.56 ng/mL.