Nanoelectronics-biology frontier: From nanoscopic probes for action potential recording in live cells to three-dimensional cyborg tissues

Nano-Bioelectronics

Nano-bioelectronics represents a rapidly expanding interdisciplinary field that combines nanomaterials with biology and electronics and, in so doing, offers the potential to overcome existing challenges in bioelectronics. In particular, shrinking electronic transducer dimensions to the nanoscale and making their properties appear more biological can yield significant improvements in the sensitivity and biocompatibility and thereby open up opportunities in fundamental biology and healthcare. This review emphasizes recent advances in nano-bioelectronics enabled with semiconductor nanostructures, including silicon nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. First, the synthesis and electrical properties of these nanomaterials are discussed in the context of bioelectronics. Second, affinity-based nano-bioelectronic sensors for highly sensitive analysis of biomolecules are reviewed. In these studies, semiconductor nanostructures as transistor-based biosensors are discussed from fundamental device behavior through sensing applications and future challenges. Third, the complex interface between nanoelectronics and living biological systems, from single cells to live animals, is reviewed. This discussion focuses on representative advances in electrophysiology enabled using semiconductor nanostructures and their nanoelectronic devices for cellular measurements through emerging work where arrays of nanoelectronic devices are incorporated within three-dimensional cell networks that define synthetic and natural tissues. Last, some challenges and exciting future opportunities are discussed.

Controlling nanowire nucleation and growth with a negative substrate bias

Applying a voltage bias to silicon nanowires during growth can influence wire density, diameter and length.

Direct-growth carbon nanotubes on 3D structural microelectrodes for electrophysiological recording

Direct growth of CNTs on 3D microelectrodes could detect distinguished zebrafish ECG resulting from the interfacial improvement analyzed by EIS.

Surface nanostructures for fluorescence probing of supported lipid bilayers on reflective substrates

The fluorescence interference contrast (FLIC) effect prevents the use of fluorescence techniques to probe the continuity and fluidity of supported lipid bilayers on reflective materials due to a lack of detectable fluorescence. Here we show that adding nanostructures onto reflective surfaces to locally confer a certain distance between the deposited fluorophores and the reflecting surface enables fluorescence detection on the nanostuctures. The nanostructures consist of either deposited nanoparticles or epitaxial nanowires directly grown on the substrate and are designed such that they can support a lipid bilayer. This simple method increases the fluorescence signal sufficiently to enable bilayer fluorescence detection and to observe the recovery of fluorescence after photobleaching in order to assess lipid bilayer formation on any reflective surface.

Suspended single-walled carbon nanotube fluidic sensors

In this paper, we demonstrate the fabrication of liquid flow sensors employing partially suspended single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). We have found that the sign of the conductance change in SWNT flow sensors is not influenced by the direction of water flow for both supported and suspended devices. Therefore, the streaming potential is not the principal mechanism of the SWNT sensor response. Instead, the conductance change is more likely due to a reduction in the cation density in the electrical double layer, whose equilibrium conditions are determined by the liquid flow rate. More importantly, we have found that the sensitivity of suspended SWNT devices is more than 10 times greater than that of supported SWNT devices. A reduced screening effect and an increase in effective sensing volume are responsible for the enhanced sensitivity, which is consistent with the ion depletion model. We also have measured conductance as a function of gate bias at different flow rates and have determined the flow-rate dependent effective charge density, which influences the electrostatic configuration around SWNT devices.

A feasibility study of multi-site,intracellular recordings from mammalian neurons by extracellular gold mushroom-shaped microelectrodes

The development of multi-electrode array platforms for large scale recording of neurons is at the forefront of neuro-engineering research efforts. Recently we demonstrated, at the proof-of-concept level, a breakthrough neuron-microelectrode interface in which cultured Aplysia neurons tightly engulf gold mushroom-shaped microelectrodes (gMμEs). While maintaining their extracellular position, the gMμEs record synaptic- and action-potentials with characteristic features of intracellular recordings. Here we examined the feasibility of using gMμEs for intracellular recordings from mammalian neurons. To that end we experimentally examined the innate size limits of cultured rat hippocampal neurons to engulf gMμEs and measured the width of the “extracellular” cleft formed between the neurons and the gold surface. Using the experimental results we next analyzed the expected range of gMμEs-neuron electrical coupling coefficients. We estimated that sufficient electrical coupling levels to record attenuated synaptic- and action-potentials can be reached using the gMμE-neuron configuration. The definition of the engulfment limits of the gMμEs caps diameter at ≤2–2.5 μm and the estimated electrical coupling coefficients from the simulations pave the way for rational development and application of the gMμE based concept for in-cell recordings from mammalian neurons.

Subacute Tissue Response to 3D Graphene Oxide Scaffolds Implanted in the Injured Rat Spinal Cord

The increasing prevalence and high sanitary costs of lesions affecting the central nervous system (CNS) at the spinal cord are encouraging experts in different fields to explore new avenues for neural repair. In this context, graphene and its derivatives are attracting significant attention, although their toxicity and performance in the CNS in vivo remains unclear. Here, the subacute tissue response to 3D flexible and porous scaffolds composed of partially reduced graphene oxide is investigated when implanted in the injured rat spinal cord. The interest of these structures as potentially useful platforms for CNS regeneration mainly relies on their mechanical compliance with neural tissues, adequate biocompatibility with neural cells in vitro and versatility to carry topographical and biological guidance cues. Early tissue responses are thoroughly investigated locally (spinal cord at C6 level) and in the major organs (i.e., kidney, liver, lung, and spleen). The absence of local and systemic toxic responses, along with the positive signs found at the lesion site (e.g., filler effect, soft interface for no additional scaring, preservation of cell populations at the perilesional area, presence of M2 macrophages), encourages further investigation of these materials as promising components of more efficient material-based platforms for CNS repair.

Dichroic spin-valley photocurrent in monolayer molybdenum disulphide

The aim of valleytronics is to exploit confinement of charge carriers in local valleys of the energy bands of semiconductors as an additional degree of freedom in optoelectronic devices. Thanks to strong direct excitonic transitions in spin-coupled K valleys, monolayer molybdenum disulphide is a rapidly emerging valleytronic material, with high valley polarization in photoluminescence. Here we elucidate the excitonic physics of this material by light helicity-dependent photocurrent studies of phototransistors. We demonstrate that large photocurrent dichroism (up to 60%) can also be achieved in high-quality molybdenum disulphide monolayers grown by chemical vapour deposition, due to the circular photogalvanic effect on resonant excitations. This opens up new opportunities for valleytonic applications in which selective control of spin-valley-coupled photocurrents can be used to implement polarization-sensitive light-detection schemes or integrated spintronic devices, as well as biochemical sensors operating at visible frequencies.

Interactions between semiconductor nanowires and living cells

Semiconductor nanowires are increasingly used for biological applications and their small dimensions make them a promising tool for sensing and manipulating cells with minimal perturbation. In order to interface cells with nanowires in a controlled fashion, it is essential to understand the interactions between nanowires and living cells. The present paper reviews current progress in the understanding of these interactions, with knowledge gathered from studies where living cells were interfaced with vertical nanowire arrays. The effect of nanowires on cells is reported in terms of viability, cell-nanowire interface morphology, cell behavior, changes in gene expression as well as cellular stress markers. Unexplored issues and unanswered questions are discussed.

Beyond the patch clamp: nanotechnologies for intracellular recording

The patch clamp is a fundamental tool for neuroscientists, offering insights that have shaped our understanding of the brain. Advances in nanotechnology suggest that the next generation of recording methods is now within reach. We discuss the complexity and future promise of applying nanoscience to neural recording.

Temperature-dependent in-plane structure formation of an X-shaped bolapolyphile within lipid bilayers

Polyphilic compound B12 is an X-shaped molecule with a stiff aromatic core, flexible aliphatic side chains, and hydrophilic end groups. Forming a thermotropic triangular honeycomb phase in the bulk between 177 and 182 °C but no lyotropic phases, it is designed to fit into DPPC or DMPC lipid bilayers, in which it phase separates at room temperature, as observed in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) by fluorescence microscopy. TEM investigations of bilayer aggregates support the incorporation of B12 into intact membranes. The temperature-dependent behavior of the mixed samples was followed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FT-IR spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray scattering. DSC results support in-membrane phase separation, where a reduced main transition and new B12-related transitions indicate the incorporation of lipids into the B12-rich phase. The phase separation was confirmed by X-ray scattering, where two different lamellar repeat distances are visible over a wide temperature range. Polarized ATR-FTIR and fluorescence anisotropy experiments support the transmembrane orientation of B12, and FT-IR spectra further prove a stepwise "melting" of the lipid chains. The data suggest that in the B12-rich domains the DPPC chains are still rigid and the B12 molecules interact with each other via π-π interactions. All results obtained at temperatures above 75 °C confirm the formation of a single, homogeneously mixed phase with freely mobile B12 molecules.

A single-cell correlative nanoelectromechanosensing approach to detect cancerous transformation: monitoring the function of F-actin microfilaments in the modulation of the ion channel activity

Cancerous transformation may be dependent on correlation between electrical disruptions in the cell membrane and mechanical disruptions of cytoskeleton structures. Silicon nanotube (SiNT)-based electrical probes, as ultra-accurate signal recorders with subcellular resolution, may create many opportunities for fundamental biological research and biomedical applications. Here, we used this technology to electrically monitor cellular mechanosensing. The SiNT probe was combined with an electrically activated glass micropipette aspiration system to achieve a new cancer diagnostic technique that is based on real-time correlation between mechanical and electrical behaviour of single cells. Our studies demonstrated marked changes in the electrical response following increases in the mechanical aspiration force in healthy cells. In contrast, such responses were extremely weak for malignant cells. Confocal microscopy results showed the impact of actin microfilament remodelling on the reduction of the electrical response for aspirated cancer cells due to the significant role of actin in modulating the ion channel activity in the cell membrane.

Monitoring the spreading stage of lung cells by silicon nanowire electrical cell impedance sensor for cancer detection purposes

We developed a silicon nanowire based electrical cell impedance sensor (SiNW-ECIS) as an instrument that detects cancerous cultured living lung cells by monitoring their spreading state at which the cells stretched and become extended on nanowires. Further current penetration into the extended membrane of malignant cells in respect to normal ones (In the first 6h after cells interaction with surface) are the key mechanism in our diagnosis procedure. The developed device applied to monitor the spreading-induced electrical differences between cancerous and normal lung cells in an integral fashion. Detection was performed so faster than the time required to complete cells mitosis. Morphology and architecture of doped Si nanowires covered microelectrodes observably enhance the contact area between cells and electrodes which support accurate signal recording from stretched cells as indicated by SEM and florescent images.

Iron nanoparticle-induced activation of plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase promotes stomatal opening in Arabidopsis thaliana

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) enable the control and exploration of intermolecular interactions inside microscopic systems, but the potential environmental impacts of their inevitable release remain largely unknown. Plants exposed to ENMs display effects, such as increase in biomass and chlorophyll, distinct from those induced by exposure to their bulk counterparts, but few studies have addressed the mechanisms underlying such physiological results. The current investigation found that exposure of Arabidopsis thaliana to nano zerovalent iron (nZVI) triggered high plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase activity. The increase in activity caused a decrease in apoplastic pH, an increase in leaf area, and also wider stomatal aperture. Analysis of gene expression indicated that the levels of the H(+)-ATPase isoform responsible for stomatal opening, AHA2, were 5-fold higher in plants exposed to nZVI than in unexposed control plants. This is the first study to show that nZVI enhances stomatal opening by inducing the activation of plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase, leading to the possibility of increased CO2 uptake.

Imaging ultrafast carrier transport in nanoscale field-effect transistors

In the present study, we visualize ultrafast carrier dynamics in one-dimensional nanoscale devices, such as Si nanowire and carbon nanotube transistors using femtosecond photocurrent microscopy. We investigate transit times of ultrashort carriers that are generated near one metallic electrode and subsequently transported toward the opposite electrode based on drift and diffusion motions. Conversely, pure diffusion motion is observed when the pump pulse is located in the middle of the nanowires. Carrier dynamics have been addressed for various working conditions, in which we found that the carrier velocity and pulse width can be manipulated by the external electrodes. In particular, the carrier velocities extracted from transit times increase for a larger negative gate bias because of the increased field strength at the Schottky barrier.

Nanoparticle facilitated extracellular electron transfer in microbial fuel cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been the focus of substantial research interest due to their potential for long-term, renewable electrical power generation via the metabolism of a broad spectrum of organic substrates, although the low power densities have limited their applications to date. Here, we demonstrate the potential to improve the power extraction by exploiting biogenic inorganic nanoparticles to facilitate extracellular electron transfer in MFCs. Simultaneous short-circuit current recording and optical imaging on a nanotechnology-enabled platform showed substantial current increase from Shewanella PV-4 after the formation of cell/iron sulfide nanoparticle aggregates. Detailed characterization of the structure and composition of the cell/nanoparticle interface revealed crystalline iron sulfide nanoparticles in intimate contact with and uniformly coating the cell membrane. In addition, studies designed to address the fundamental mechanisms of charge transport in this hybrid system showed that charge transport only occurred in the presence of live Shewanella, and moreover demonstrated that the enhanced current output can be attributed to improved electron transfer at cell/electrode interface and through the cellular-networks. Our approach of interconnecting and electrically contacting bacterial cells through biogenic nanoparticles represents a unique and promising direction in MFC research and has the potential to not only advance our fundamental knowledge about electron transfer processes in these biological systems but also overcome a key limitation in MFCs by constructing an electrically connected, three-dimensional cell network from the bottom-up.

Nanotechnologies for the study of the central nervous system

The impact of central nervous system (CNS) disorders on the human population is significant, contributing almost €800 billion in annual European healthcare costs. These disorders not only have a disabling social impact but also a crippling economic drain on resources. Developing novel therapeutic strategies for these disorders requires a better understanding of events that underlie mechanisms of neural circuit physiology. Studying the relationship between genetic expression, synapse development and circuit physiology in CNS function is a challenging task, involving simultaneous analysis of multiple parameters and the convergence of several disciplines and technological approaches. However, current gold-standard techniques used to study the CNS have limitations that pose unique challenges to furthering our understanding of functional CNS development. The recent advancement in nanotechnologies for biomedical applications has seen the emergence of nanoscience as a key enabling technology for delivering a translational bridge between basic and clinical research. In particular, the development of neuroimaging and electrophysiology tools to identify the aetiology and progression of CNS disorders have led to new insights in our understanding of CNS physiology and the development of novel diagnostic modalities for therapeutic intervention. This review focuses on the latest applications of these nanotechnologies for investigating CNS function and the improved diagnosis of CNS disorders.

The race of nanowires: morphological instabilities and a control strategy

The incomplete growth of nanowires that are synthesized by template-assisted electrodeposition presents a major challenge for nanowire-based devices targeting energy and electronic applications. In template-assisted electrodeposition, the growth of nanowires in the pores of the template is complex and unstable. Here we show theoretically and experimentally that the dynamics of this process is diffusion-limited, which results in a morphological instability driven by a race among nanowires. Moreover, we use our findings to devise a method to control the growth instability. By introducing a temperature gradient across the porous template, we manipulate ion diffusion in the pores, so that we can reduce the growth instability. This strategy significantly increases the length of nanowires. In addition to shedding light on a key nanotechnology, our results may provide fundamental insights into a variety of interfacial growth processes in materials science such as crystal growth and tissue growth in scaffolds.

Selective functionalization and loading of biomolecules in crystalline silicon nanotube field-effect-transistors

Crystalline silicon nanotubes (Si NTs) provide distinctive advantages as electrical and biochemical analysis scaffolds through their unique morphology and electrical tunability compared to solid nanowires or amorphous/non-conductive nanotubes. Such potential is investigated in this report. Gate-dependent four-probe current-voltage analysis reveals electrical properties such as resistivity to differ by nearly 3 orders of magnitude between crystalline and amorphous Si NTs. Analysis of transistor transfer characteristics yields a field effect mobility of 40.0 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) in crystalline Si NTs. The hollow morphology also allows selective inner/outer surface functionalization and loading capability either as a carrier for molecular targets or as a nanofluidic channel for biomolecular assays. We present for the first time a demonstration of internalization of fluorescent dyes (rhodamine) and biomolecules (BSA) in Si NTs as long as 22 μm in length.

Assembly and densification of nanowire arrays via shrinkage

Chemically synthesized semiconductor nanowires (NWs) have demonstrated substantial promise for nanoelectronics, nanoenergy, and nanobiotechnology, but the lack of an effective and controllable assembly process has limited the wide adoption of NWs in these areas. Here we demonstrate a facile, robust, and controllable approach to assembling and densifying a parallel array of NWs using shrinkable shape memory polymers. Using thermal-induced shrinkage of polystyrene, we were able to successfully assemble and densify NW arrays up to close-packing and, furthermore, achieve tunable density (up to ∼300% amplification of density) by controlling the shrinkage process. We also demonstrate scalable assembly and densification of NWs on a 2.5 × 6 inch scale to explore the manufacturability of the shrink-induced assembly process. Finally, we demonstrate the successful transfer of the shrink-assembled NW arrays onto various 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional substrates without compromising the integrity of NW assembly and density.

Multiplexed free-standing nanowire transistor bioprobe for intracellular recording: a general fabrication strategy

Recent advance in free-standing nanowire transistor bioprobes opens up new opportunities of accurately interfacing spatially unobstructed nanoscale sensors with live cells. However, the existing fabrication procedures face efficiency and yield limitations when working with more complex nanoscale building blocks to integrate, for example, multiplexed recordings or additional functionalities. To date, only single-kinked silicon nanowires have been successfully used in such probes. Here we establish a general fabrication strategy to mitigate such limitations with which synthetically designed complex nanoscale building blocks can be readily used without causing significant penalty in yield or fabrication time, and the geometry of the probe can be freely optimized based on the orientation and structure of the building blocks. Using this new fabrication framework, we demonstrate the first multiplexed free-standing bioprobe based on w-shaped silicon kinked nanowires that are synthetically integrated with two nanoscale field-effect transistor devices. Simultaneous recording of intracellular action potentials from both devices have been obtained of a single spontaneously beating cardiomyocyte.

VO2 nanowires assembled into hollow microspheres for high-rate and long-life lithium batteries

Development of three-dimensional nanostructures with high surface area and excellent structural stability is an important approach for realizing high-rate and long-life battery electrodes. Here, we report VO2 hollow microspheres showing empty spherical core with radially protruding nanowires, synthesized through a facile and controllable ion-modulating approach. In addition, by controlling the self-assembly of negatively charged C12H25SO4(-) spherical micelles and positively charged VO(2+) ions, six-armed microspindles and random nanowires are also prepared. Compared with them, VO2 hollow microspheres show better electrochemical performance. At high current density of 2 A/g, VO2 hollow microspheres exhibit 3 times higher capacity than that of random nanowires, and 80% of the original capacity is retained after 1000 cycles. The superior performance of VO2 hollow microspheres is because they exhibit high surface area about twice higher than that of random nanowires and also provide an efficient self-expansion and self-shrinkage buffering during lithiation/delithiation, which effectively inhibits the self-aggregation of nanowires. This research indicates that VO2 hollow microspheres have great potential for high-rate and long-life lithium batteries.

Nanoscale Semiconductor Devices as New Biomaterials

Research on nanoscale semiconductor devices will elicit a novel understanding of biological systems. First, we discuss why it is necessary to build interfaces between cells and semiconductor nanoelectronics. Second, we describe some recent molecular biophysics studies with nanowire field effect transistor sensors. Third, we present the use of nanowire transistors as electrical recording devices that can be integrated into synthetic tissues and targeted intra- or extracellularly to study single cells. Lastly, we discuss future directions and challenges in further developing this area of research, which will advance biology and medicine.

Free-standing kinked nanowire transistor probes for targeted intracellular recording in three dimensions

Recording intracellular (IC) bioelectrical signals is central to understanding the fundamental behaviour of cells and cell networks in, for example, neural and cardiac systems. The standard tool for IC recording, the patch-clamp micropipette is applied widely, yet remains limited in terms of reducing the tip size, the ability to reuse the pipette and ion exchange with the cytoplasm. Recent efforts have been directed towards developing new chip-based tools, including micro-to-nanoscale metal pillars, transistor-based kinked nanowires and nanotube devices. These nanoscale tools are interesting with respect to chip-based multiplexing, but, so far, preclude targeted recording from specific cell regions and/or subcellular structures. Here we overcome this limitation in a general manner by fabricating free-standing probes in which a kinked silicon nanowire with an encoded field-effect transistor detector serves as the tip end. These probes can be manipulated in three dimensions within a standard microscope to target specific cells or cell regions, and record stable full-amplitude IC action potentials from different targeted cells without the need to clean or change the tip. Simultaneous measurements from the same cell made with free-standing nanowire and patch-clamp probes show that the same action potential amplitude and temporal properties are recorded without corrections to the raw nanowire signal. In addition, we demonstrate real-time monitoring of changes in the action potential as different ion-channel blockers are applied to cells, and multiplexed recording from cells by independent manipulation of two free-standing nanowire probes.

Sub-10-nm intracellular bioelectronic probes from nanowire-nanotube heterostructures

The miniaturization of bioelectronic intracellular probes with a wide dynamic frequency range can open up opportunities to study biological structures inaccessible by existing methods in a minimally invasive manner. Here, we report the design, fabrication, and demonstration of intracellular bioelectronic devices with probe sizes less than 10 nm. The devices are based on a nanowire-nanotube heterostructure in which a nanowire field-effect transistor detector is synthetically integrated with a nanotube cellular probe. Sub-10-nm nanotube probes were realized by a two-step selective etching approach that reduces the diameter of the nanotube free-end while maintaining a larger diameter at the nanowire detector necessary for mechanical strength and electrical sensitivity. Quasi-static water-gate measurements demonstrated selective device response to solution inside the nanotube, and pulsed measurements together with numerical simulations confirmed the capability to record fast electrophysiological signals. Systematic studies of the probe bandwidth in different ionic concentration solutions revealed the underlying mechanism governing the time response. In addition, the bandwidth effect of phospholipid coatings, which are important for intracellular recording, was investigated and modeled. The robustness of these sub-10-nm bioelectronics probes for intracellular interrogation was verified by optical imaging and recording the transmembrane resting potential of HL-1 cells. These ultrasmall bioelectronic probes enable direct detection of cellular electrical activity with highest spatial resolution achieved to date, and with further integration into larger chip arrays could provide a unique platform for ultra-high-resolution mapping of activity in neural networks and other systems.

Sub-10-nm intracellular bioelectronic probes from nanowire-nanotube heterostructures

The miniaturization of bioelectronic intracellular probes with a wide dynamic frequency range can open up opportunities to study biological structures inaccessible by existing methods in a minimally invasive manner. Here, we report the design, fabrication, and demonstration of intracellular bioelectronic devices with probe sizes less than 10 nm. The devices are based on a nanowire-nanotube heterostructure in which a nanowire field-effect transistor detector is synthetically integrated with a nanotube cellular probe. Sub-10-nm nanotube probes were realized by a two-step selective etching approach that reduces the diameter of the nanotube free-end while maintaining a larger diameter at the nanowire detector necessary for mechanical strength and electrical sensitivity. Quasi-static water-gate measurements demonstrated selective device response to solution inside the nanotube, and pulsed measurements together with numerical simulations confirmed the capability to record fast electrophysiological signals. Systematic studies of the probe bandwidth in different ionic concentration solutions revealed the underlying mechanism governing the time response. In addition, the bandwidth effect of phospholipid coatings, which are important for intracellular recording, was investigated and modeled. The robustness of these sub-10-nm bioelectronics probes for intracellular interrogation was verified by optical imaging and recording the transmembrane resting potential of HL-1 cells. These ultrasmall bioelectronic probes enable direct detection of cellular electrical activity with highest spatial resolution achieved to date, and with further integration into larger chip arrays could provide a unique platform for ultra-high-resolution mapping of activity in neural networks and other systems.