Development of a Capillary Waveguide Biosensor Analytical Module for Use with the MBARI Environmental Sample Processor

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute’s Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) is well established as an innovative sampling and instrument platform for sensors designed for in situ monitoring of micro�organisms in the ocean. The platform can be deployed for periods up to 3 months and real-time data can be remotely downloaded at any time. A daughter platform, the microfluidic block (MFB), is used as an interface between the ESP and analytical modules to permit rapid deployment of new sensor technologies. We have developed a capillary waveguide biosensor (CWB) which employs nucleic acid hybridization for detection and quantification of specific microorganisms, and have integrated it with the MFB for use with the ESP. An important aspect of the CWB is the use of a combined capillary waveguide/hybridization surface that can be regenerated for repeated use. This chapter describes design issues related to the integration of the CWB and MFB and the development of coating protocols to maximize the operational life of the capillary.