DNA thin film coated optical fiber biosensor

We present a simple but highly sensitive biotinylated DNA double crossover thin film coated fiber optic reflectance biosensor (DTF FORS) for the detection of streptavidin aerosols as a building block towards sensing bio-aerosols. The DNA double crossover lattice with biotin was dropped on the polymer optical fiber end face to prepare DNA Thin Film. The streptavidin aerosols were prepared using conventional aerosol technology. The DTF FORS response to streptavidin aerosol was few seconds and the sensor repeatability for air and streptavidin aerosol was found to be excellent. The presented FORS sensing approach, where the film can be changed on the end face of the optical fiber, is expected to detect atmospheric bio-aerosols with great sensitivity and effective specificity.

► We present a DNA thin film coated fiber optic biosensor for the aerosol detection.
► The DNA lattice with a biotin was dropped on the polymer optical fiber end face.
► Aerosol measurement techniques were implemented to measure streptavidin aerosols.
► The DTF FORS response and the sensor repeatability were found to be excellent.
► The DTF FORS can detect various bio-aerosols with high specificity and sensitivity.