An integrated optoelectronic silicon biosensor that can detect
biomolecules by the change of the optical coupling between the integrated
light source and the integrated detector that is caused by the binding of
the appropriately labeled analytes onto the recognition molecules, that
have been previously immobilized onto the integrated optical fiber that
connects the optical source with the detector. The device contains the
optoelectronic silicon chip and its biological activation. The
optoelectronic chip is realized following integrated circuits fabrication
methods so as the light source, the detector and the optical fiber, that
optically couples the light source with the detector, to be
monolithically integrated on the same silicon substrate. The biological
activation of the chip is performed through physicochemical modification
of the chip surface in order to permit immobilization of the recognition
biomolecules onto the optical fiber surface. The biomolecules to be
determined (proteins or oligonucleotides) are labeled with chromophore
groups or nanoparticles or enzymes and after their coupling by the
recognition biomolecules reduce the optical coupling between the light
source and the detector providing a measure of their concentration.