Nanobio Science


Improvement of sensitivity and accuracy by 100x through nanowell-array technology
Array of nano-sized wells (diameter=250nm) that allows control of individual molecular reactions

Nanowell : biomolecule immobilization and reation control (accuracy)

Array : signal amplification (sensitivity)

Uniform number : quantification of sensing signal (precision)

• The volume of each nanowell (250nm) is atto-liter (10-18liter)

• Total volume of nanowell-array electrode(9 x106) = 1 pico-liter(10-12L)

Development of accurate, highly sensitive, and small nanobiosensors that detect molecules from minute amounts of biological samples (blood, urine, sweet, etc)


H.Y.Lee et.al. Japanese Patents 3972096 (2008); 4324707 (2009); 4497903 (2009)

H.Y.Lee et.al JACS (2005), Langmuir (2005), Lab on a chip (2006), Appl.Phys.Lett. (2006), Advanced Materials (2008)–The Highlight, Small (2008)


Advantages of Nanowell Array Sensor
Nanowell Array (NWA) electrode sesnor

  SEPARATION  

High signal-to-noise ratio

Structure close to the molecular level

• Significantly reduced background (or base) noise

• Signal can be amplified for statistical dependencies (ex : 1x107 times)

• Small sample required (> 1 pL)

• Sensitivity above the minimum pg level (> 1pg/ml) can be achieved

Conventional macro or micro electrode sensors

  AGGREGATION  

Low signal-to-noise ratio

• Big size difference between macromolecule and molecule

• High background (or base) noise

Sufficient sample required


It can be obtained high sensitivity through the control of reaction (1fM)

It can be measured quantitatively for the biomarkers of a very small amount (>1 picoliter)  


Compared with conventional planar electrodes, Nanowell Array (NWA) reduces potential aggregation between molecules and spatially aligns biosprays, improving sensor sensitivity.


The combination of nanowell (NW) arrays structure leads to significant improvement of sensor sensitivity. Because it reduces potential aggregation and background noise from the electrode surface can be dramatically reduced, compared with conventional electrodes with flat surfaces. And the NW arrays have potentials to magnify signals for statistical reliability.


NWA structure provides 'high sensitivity' diagnostic by controlling chemical reactions in nanostructures that require small amounts of sample. Based on the advantages of NWA, we are opening a new era of digital healthcare using nanowell medical devices.


Combination of  NWA and electrochemistry for highly sensitive detection with small amount of sample

Nano process technology


Development of nano size platform for rapid diagnosis / low cost production process

In order to use of biomedical nanotechnology, biocompatible and commercially available nanoprocess is essential In this sense, Mara Nanotech researchers have been working on biocompatible and commercialization of nanostructure by various nanolitho processes such as e-beam litho., focused ion beam, soft nanolitho., and nanoimprint litho. for EC nanowell array(NWA) electrodes.

Nanowell Arrays for Electrochemical Nanomedical Devices

Mass Production of Nanowell Sensors

we are using advanced semiconductor nanoprocessing equipment for the commercial manufacturing of nanowell arrays (NWA).