Detection of avian influenza-DNA hybridization using wavelength-scanning surface plasmon resonance biosensor

We designed a wavelength interrogation-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor to detect avian influenza DNA (AI-DNA). Hybridization reactions between target AI-DNA probes and capture probes immobilized on a gold surface were monitored quantitatively by measuring the resonance wavelength in the visible waveband. The experimental results were consistent with numerical calculations. Although the SPR detection technique does not require the DNA to be labeled, we also evaluated fluorescently-labeled targets to verify the hybridization behavior of the AI-DNA. Changes in resonance were found to be linearly proportional to the amount of bound analyte. A wavelength interrogation-type SPR biosensor can be used for rapid measurement and high-throughput detection of highly pathogenic AI viruses.