An automated, portable array biosensor

Array biosensors provide the capability of immobilizing multiple capture biomolecules onto a single surface and therefore offer the exciting prospect of multi-analyte detection. A miniaturized, fully automated, stand-alone biosensor is reported which can simultaneously test multiple samples for multiple analytes. This portable system (< 10 lbs) is particularly appropriate for on-site monitoring for food safety, infectious disease detection, and biological warfare defense. The surface-selective nature of this technology allows determination of binding constants and tracking of both specific and non-specific binding events as they occur. Thus, it provides an exciting new research tool for characterizing the interactions of biomolecules with surfaces or immobilized receptors in real time. This capability has important implications for development of new materials and sensors.