| abstract |
A method is described for detecting biorecognition events in biomolecular interaction processes, including the provision, on at least one biorecognition site, of molecular probes (P) adapted to interact with target molecular species (T) which are coupled to conductive nanoparticles (NP), in which the probes (P) are associated with a nanojunction transducer device (12) comprising a pair of conductive electrodes (22, 24) separated by a nanometric gap of the same order of magnitude as the dimensions of said conductive nanoparticles (NP), adapted to detect a condition of coupling between at least one molecular probe (P) and a specimen of a target species (T) which interact with each other. A biorecognition event includes the coupling of a probe (P) to at least one specimen of the target species (T) and results in the positioning of the conductive nanoparticle (NP) coupled to the target species (T) (by being directly conjugated with the latter or with a signal molecule which can interact with it) between the electrodes (22, 24) of the nanojunction device (12), with the consequent creation of a conductive path between the electrodes. The occurrence of biorecognition events is evaluated according to the intensity of the current which is made to flow between the electrodes (22, 24) of the nanojunction device (12) by the application of a potential difference. |