Fluctuations due to association and dissociation processes at nanowire-biosensor surfaces and their optimal design

In this work, we calculate the effect of the binding and unbinding of molecules at the surface of a nanowire biosensor on the signal-to-noise ratio of the sensor. We model the fluctuations induced by association and dissociation of target molecules by a stochastic differential equation and extend this approach to a coupled diffusion-reaction system. Where possible, analytic solutions for the signal-to-noise ratio are given. Stochastic simulations are performed wherever closed forms of the solutions cannot be derived. Starting from parameters obtained from experimental data, we simulate DNA hybridization at the sensor surface for different target molecule concentrations in order to optimize the sensor design.