I recently came across a review article on the use of micro and nanocantilevers as a rapid way of detecting the presence of a variety of microorganisms. A microcantilever is a device that can act as a physical, chemical or biological sensor by detecting changes in cantilever bending or vibrational frequency. It is the miniaturized counterpart of a diving board that moves up and down at a regular interval based on mass. The mass changes when contaminants land on the devices, causing them to vibrate at a different "resonant frequency, " which can be quickly detected. The authors are from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology. Their abstract is provided below:
Micro- and nanocantilever devices and systems for biomolecule detection. Hwang KS, Lee SM, Kim SK, Lee JH, Kim TS. Annu Rev Anal Chem (Palo Alto Calif). 2009; 2:77-98.
Recent research trends in biosensing have been geared toward developing bioanalytical devices that are label free, small in size, and portable and that can operate in a rapid manner. The performance of these devices has been dramatically improved through the advent of new materials and micro-/nanofabrication technologies. This is especially true for micro-/nanosized cantilever sensors, which undergo a change in mechanical properties upon the specific binding of biomolecules. In this review, we introduce the basic principles of cantilever biosensors in static and dynamic modes. We also summarize a range of approaches to cantilever design, fabrication, and instrumentation according to their applications. More specifically, we describe cantilever-based detections of proteins, DNA molecules, bacteria, and viruses and discuss current challenges related to the targets' biophysical characteristics.