In biosensor technology, sensors are used to characterize biomolecules (e.g., DNA, proteins). Numerous biomolecules exhibit characteristic properties in the THz frequency range. Suitable sensors, excited by terahertz pulses or radiation, are used to determine the material properties of the molecules.

One important application, for example,is the detection of the composition of DNA strands based on their binding state. While the method commonly used today—fluorescence labeling—involves the costly and time-consuming chemical labeling of the material, the THz biosensor is loaded with very small amounts of sample material.

Binding to known complementary strands is then detected via permittivity. This simplifies the entire diagnostic process, and the material remains uncontaminated, allowing it to be reused after analysis.

THz biosensor technology aims to enable ultrasensitive, label-free biomolecular detection for tumor analysis, featuring PCR-free detection and an expanded range of biomolecular applications.