Biomolecular diagnostics by a magnetic lab-on-a-chip

Compared to the established fluorescent labeling method, the use of magnetic markers in biochip sensors has important advantages with respect to the detection of biomolecules at low concentrations. The direct availability of an electronic signal allows the design of inexpensive integrated detection units. In addition, the magnetic beads can be used as carriers for biomolecules. They can be manipulated on-chip via currents running through specially designed line patterns on a chip platform. An obvious benefit is a much shorter incubation time of the marker binding in biochip applications. Therefore, magnetic markers in combination with magnetoresistive sensors are a promising choice for future integrated "magnetic lab-on-a-chip" systems.