Methods of detecting the presence of an analyte in a query sample include providing a sensor that includes biomolecules disposed on a polymer-coated surface of a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor. Modes of operation remove or add magnetic beads from the vicinity of the sensor surface by interactions with the biomolecules. The methods feature detecting the presence of the analyte in the query sample by measuring resistance change of the GMR sensor based on determining resistance before and after passing magnetic particles over the sensor.

The invention relates to a device for measuring a first parameter of a specimen, the device including a measuring volume configured to receive the specimen, a first control module and a measuring module, the first control module being configured to supply electricity to the measuring module with an electrical supply current, the measuring module including a magnetic field generator, a sensor and a second control module, the magnetic field generator being configured to generate a magnetic field in the measuring volume, the sensor being configured to measure values of a variable of the measuring volume during the generation of the magnetic field, the second measuring control module being configured to calculate a value of the parameter based on at least one value of the variable.

The first control module is configured in order, following the generation of the magnetic field, to inhibit the power supply of the measuring module during a first predetermined length of time (dn).

Methods of detecting target nucleic acid is a sample are described. A first probe is attached to first beads, and the first beads are placed in the sample so that any target nucleic acid attaches to the first probe. A second probe also attaches to the target nucleic acid so that any of the target nucleic acid links or tethers the first and second probes. A capacitive sensor detects capacitance of the beads and processes capacitance data to quantify target nucleic acid presence in the sample. The second probe may be immobilised on the sensor surface. Alternatively the second beads are introduced into the sample with the second probe attached, and the extent of tethering of the first beads to the second beads is indicative of the extent of target NA present.

A significant enhancement of detection capabilities of the room temperature MPQ is seen using optical lithography-defined, ferromagnetic iron-nickel alloy microdisks. Irreversible transitions between strongly non-collinear (vortex) and a collinear single domain states, driven by an ac magnetic field, translate into a nonlinear magnetic response that enables ultrasensitive detection of material at relatively small magnetic fields.

Technologies related to parallel characterization of individual MNPs are disclosed. A diamond chip with MNPs distributed thereon may be used with an epifluorescence microscope and camera to generate multiple different images of multiple individual MNPs. The multiple images are recorded at different microwave frequencies and under different external magnetic field strengths. The multiple images are then used to determine properties of the multiple individual MNPs.

Devices and methods for molecule detection using such devices are disclosed herein. A molecule detection device comprises at least one fluidic channel configured to receive molecules to be detected, a sensor comprising a spin torque oscillator (STO) and encapsulated by a material separating the sensor from the at least one fluidic channel, and detection circuitry coupled to the sensor. At least some of the molecules to be detected are labeled by magnetic nanoparticles (HNPs). A surface of the material provides binding sites for the molecules to be detected. The detection circuitry is configured to detect a frequency or frequency noise of a radio-frequency (RF) signal generated by the STO in response to presence or absence of at least one MNP coupled to one or more binding sites associated with the sensor.

A sensing device comprises a plurality of magnetoresistive (MR) sensors, at least one fluidic channel, and detection circuitry coupled to the MR sensors. Each MR sensor is configured to detect the presence of molecules (e.g., biologic molecules) labeled by magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The sensors are encapsulated by an insulating material that protects the sensors from the contents of the at least one fluidic channel. The insulating material has a surface within the fluidic channel that provides sites for binding the molecules to be detected. The detection circuitry is configured to detect (a) a characteristic of magnetic noise of each MR sensor, the characteristic being influenced by a presence or absence of one or more MNPs at each site, or (b) a change in resistance, current, and/or voltage drop of each MR sensor, wherein the change is influenced by the presence or absence of one or more MNPs at each site.

Disclosed herein are detection devices, systems, and methods that use magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to allow molecules to be identified. Embodiments of this disclosure include magnetic sensors (e.g., magnetoresistive sensors) that can be used to detect temperature-dependent magnetic fields (or changes in magnetic fields) emitted by MNPs, and, specifically to distinguish between the presence and absence of magnetic fields emitted, or not emitted, by MNPs at different temperatures selected to take advantage of knowledge of how the MNPs' magnetic properties change with temperature. Embodiments disclosed herein may be used for nucleic acid sequencing, such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing.

Disclosed herein is a detection device comprising sensors with spin torque oscillators (STOs), at least one fluidic channel configured to receive molecules to be detected, and detection circuitry coupled to the sensors. At least some of the molecules to be detected are labeled by magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The presence of one or more MNPs in the vicinity of a STO subjected to a bias current changes the oscillation frequency of the STO. The sensors are encapsulated by a material, such as an insulator, separating the sensors from the at least one fluidic channel. A surface of the material provides binding sites for the molecules to be detected. The detection circuitry is configured to detect changes in the oscillation frequencies of the sensors in response to presence or absence of one or more MNPs coupled to one or more binding sites associated with the sensors.

Provided are magnetic sensors, which include a magnetic sensor element having a sensor surface modification and an inter-element area adjacent to the magnetic sensor element and having an inter-element area surface modification, where the sensor surface modification and the inter-element area surface modification provide a binding surface in the inter-element area. Also provided are devices, systems and methods in which the subject magnetic sensors find use.