A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device is described having a
membrane which can be induced to resonate and the frequency of its
resonance can be monitored. Chemical moieties can be attached to the
membrane, and these moieties can be selected such that they have an
affinity for molecules of interest, especially biological molecules of
interest. When molecules of interest bind to the moieties they increase
the mass of the membrane and thereby change the frequency of the
membrane's resonance. By monitoring the resonance one can obtain an
indication of the presence of the molecules of interest and in some
circumstances an indication of the approximate concentration of these
molecules. In addition, several types of moieties having affinities for
several different molecules of interest can be placed on the membrane in
such a way that the sensor can detect the presence of several different
types of molecules of interest and distinguish which ones may be present
and which ones may be absent.