Technology modules from micro- and nano-electronics for the life sciences

• Published in: Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology Vol. 8; no. 3; pp. 355 - 377
• Main Authors: Birkholz, M., Mai, A., Wenger, C., Meliani, C., Scholz, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-05-2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Biology; Biomolecules; Bioreactors; Biosensors; Biotechnology; Biotechnology - instrumentation; Biotechnology - methods; Circuit design; CMOS; Commercialization; Development projects; Diagnostic software; Diagnostic systems; Dielectrophoresis; Drug discovery; Electronics; Electronics industry; Electronics, Medical - instrumentation; Electronics, Medical - methods; Equipment Design; Immobilization; Implants; Microelectronics; Microfluidics; Modules; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology - instrumentation; Nanotechnology - methods; R&D; Research & development; Semiconductors; Silicon devices; Spectroscopy; Technology
• ISSN: 1939-5116; 1939-0041
• DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1367

The capabilities of modern semiconductor manufacturing offer remarkable possibilities to be applied in life science research as well as for its commercialization. In this review, the technology modules available in micro‐ and nano‐electronics are exemplarily presented for the case of 250 and 130 nm technology nodes. Preparation procedures and the different transistor types as available in complementary metal‐oxide‐silicon devices (CMOS) and BipolarCMOS (BiCMOS) technologies are introduced as key elements of comprehensive chip architectures. Techniques for circuit design and the elements of completely integrated bioelectronics systems are outlined. The possibility for life scientists to make use of these technology modules for their research and development projects via so‐called multi‐project wafer services is emphasized. Various examples from diverse fields such as (1) immobilization of biomolecules and cells on semiconductor surfaces, (2) biosensors operating by different principles such as affinity viscosimetry, impedance spectroscopy, and dielectrophoresis, (3) complete systems for human body implants and monitors for bioreactors, and (4) the combination of microelectronics with microfluidics either by chip‐in‐polymer integration as well as Si‐based microfluidics are demonstrated from joint developments with partners from biotechnology and medicine. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2016, 8:355–377. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1367
This article is categorized under:
Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology