Date of Award

3-14-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Engineering Physics

First Advisor

Douglas R. Lewis, PhD.

Abstract

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research require sensors to detect biological agents better, faster, and cheaper. This research explores the use of graphene functionalized with single strand deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) aptamers as a detection method for the Sterne strain of Bacillus anthracis. This research is interesting because of the unique electrical and chemical binding properties of graphene and its interaction with ssDNA and DNA. The interactions of graphene functionalized with ssDNA in response to B. anthracis spores, non-complimentary and complimentary DNA were explored in static and dynamic aqueous environments with indirect complimentary binding confirmation via Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The results suggest aptamer functionalized graphene can be used to detect B. anthracis spores, non-complimentary and complimentary DNA sequences.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENP-14-M-42

DTIC Accession Number

ADA598854

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