Abstract: A cell electro-physiological sensor includes a sensor chip including a partition board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a member for forming a first region provided on the first surface of the partition board, and a member for forming a second region provided on the second surface of the partition board. The partition board has a through-hole provided therein, the through-hole having a first opening which opens to the first surface, a second opening which opens to the second surface, and a wall. The first region contacts the first opening of the through-hole. The first region is arranged to contain cell suspension. The atomic ratio of carbon at the first surface of the partition board is not greater than 15 atomic percent of the composition of the first surface. The cell electro-physiological sensor causes the cell to be tightly held at the first opening of the through-hole in the partition board, thereby measuring a potential of the cell efficiently.

Abstract: A method for detecting specific associations between a tethered molecule and an untethered target molecule. The method comprises (1) selecting a tethered molecule; (2) alternately impinging THz radiation onto the tethered molecule and onto a sample including the tethered and untethered target molecules; (3) detecting the radiation impinged on the tethered molecule to form a reference signal and the radiation impinged on the sample to form a sample signal; and (4) comparing the reference signal with the sample signal to generate a specimen signal indicative of an association between the selected tethered and target molecules. The method will detect whether a selected tethered molecule and the desired target exhibit any affinity or, in cases where the affinity is known, will detect the presence of the target molecule in a sample. Also provided is an apparatus for detecting specific associations between a tethered molecule and an untethered target molecule.

Abstract: A cell electro-physiological sensor includes a sensor chip including a partition board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a member for forming a first region provided on the first surface of the partition board, and a member for forming a second region provided on the second surface of the partition board. The partition board has a through-hole provided therein, the through-hole having a first opening which opens to the first surface, a second opening which opens to the second surface, and a wall. The first region contacts the first opening of the through-hole. The first region is arranged to contain cell suspension. The atomic ratio of carbon at the first surface of the partition board is not greater than 15 atomic percent of the composition of the first surface. The cell electro-physiological sensor causes the cell to be tightly held at the first opening of the through-hole in the partition board, thereby measuring a potential of the cell efficiently.

Abstract: A method for detecting specific associations between a tethered molecule and an untethered target molecule. The method comprises (1) selecting a tethered molecule; (2) alternately impinging THz radiation onto the tethered molecule and onto a sample including the tethered and untethered target molecules; (3) detecting the radiation impinged on the tethered molecule to form a reference signal and the radiation impinged on the sample to form a sample signal; and (4) comparing the reference signal with the sample signal to generate a specimen signal indicative of an association between the selected tethered and target molecules. The method will detect whether a selected tethered molecule and the desired target exhibit any affinity or, in cases where the affinity is known, will detect the presence of the target molecule in a sample. Also provided is an apparatus for detecting specific associations between a tethered molecule and an untethered target molecule.