Electrochemical Microsystems Utilizing Nanostructured Biomimetic Interfaces

Andrew Mason, PhD, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michigan State University
ABSTRACT:
The extremely high sensitivity and specificity of proteins provide an excellent source for recognition of biochemical and biomolecular agents. Recent breakthroughs in our Center for Nanostructured Biomimetic Interfaces and elsewhere have yielded a portfolio of bio-interfaces suitable for both soluble and membrane proteins, making it feasible to fabricate high-density arrays in which many different protein-based detectors are deposited on an electrode array. Utilizing electrochemical methods and integrated microsystem technologies, these arrays can be implemented on microelectronics chips for fast and continuous determination of analyte concentrations with very small sample volumes. Recent developments on an integrated bioelectrochemical microsystem platform will be presented. The system utilizes nanostructured biomimetic interfaces for continuous measurement in an aqueous sample and can be applied to applications ranging from detection of biotoxins to interrogation of the functional properties of newly expressed proteins. Example bio-interfaces and post-CMOS fabrication issues will be presented, and microsystem readout circuits, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, will be discussed.

BIO:
Andrew Mason received the BS in Physics with highest distinction from Western Kentucky University in 1991, the BSEE with honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1992, and the MS and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1994 and 2000, respectively. From 1997 to 1999 he was an Electronic Systems Engineer at a small aerospace company, and from 1999 to 2001 he was an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky. In 2001 he joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Michigan State University in East Lansing, where he is currently an Assistant Professor. His research addresses many areas of mixed-signal circuit design and the fabrication of integrated microsystems. Current projects include adaptive sensor interface circuits, bioelectrochemical interrogation circuits, post-CMOS fabrication of electrochemical sensors, and integrated circuits for neural signal processing. Dr. Mason serves on the Sensory Systems and Biomedical Circuits and Systems Technical Committees of the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society and on the Technical Program Committee for IEEE International Conference on Sensors. He is a recipient of the 2005-2006 Michigan State University Teacher Scholar Award.