Low cost flatbed scanner label-free biosensor

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate utilization of a commercial flatbed document scanner as a label-free biosensor for high-throughput imaging of DNA and protein microarrays. We implemented an interferometric sensing technique through use of a silicon/oxide layered substrate, and easy to implement hardware modifications such as re-aligning moving parts and inserting a custom made sample plate. With a cost as low as 100USD, powered by a USB cable, and scan speed of 30 seconds for a 4mm x 4 mm area with similar to 10 mu m lateral resolution, the presented system offers a super low cost, easy to use alternative to commercially available label-free systems.