An integrated biosensor with magnetic tunnel juntions (MTJs) and spin valve (SV) sensor was used for 130 nm particle detection. A platform drives an external magnet generating an in-plane dc+ac magnetic field on the sensor at frequencies up to 375 Hz, provides a current to bias the sensor, and performs the signal acquisition and treatment. The signal-to-noise ratio of the SV and MTJ was characterized. Bead detection (130 nm in diameter) was performed using both sensors leading to a detection limit of 3 x 10(8) particles/ml for SV and 3 x 10(10) particles/ml for MTJ. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.