Field effect detection of biomolecular interactions

Development of a novel immunoFET technology-based POC assay for detection of Leishmania donovani and Leishmania major

Leishmaniasis is considered as one of the 20 neglected tropical diseases. Current methods of leishmanial diagnosis depend on conventional laboratory-based techniques, which are time-consuming, costly and require special equipment and trained personnel. In this context, we aimed to provide an immuno field effect transistors (ImmunoFET) biosensor that matches the conventional standards for point-of-care (POC) monitoring and detection of Leishmania (L.) donovani/Leishmania major. Crude antigens prepared by repeated freeze thawing of L. donovani/L. major stationary phase promastigotes were used for ELISA and ImmunoFETs. Lesishmania-specific antigens were serially diluted in 1× PBS from a concentration of 10⁶ -10² parasites/mL. A specific polyclonal antibody-based sandwich ELISA was established for the detection of Leishmania antigens. An immunoFET technology-based POC novel assay was constructed for the detection of Leishmania antigens. Interactions between antigen-antibody at the gate surface generate an electrical signal that can be measured by semiconductor field-effect principles. Sensitivity was considered and measured as the change in current divided by the initial current. The final L. donovani/L. major crude antigen protein concentrations were measured as 1.50 mg/mL. Sandwich ELISA against the Leishmania 40S ribosomal protein detected Leishmania antigens could detect as few as 100 L. donovani/L. major parasites. An immunoFET biosensor was constructed based on the optimization of aluminium gallium nitride/gallium nitride (AlGaN/GaN) surface oxidation methods. The device surface was composed by an AlGaN/GaN wafer with a 23 nm AlGaN barrier layer, a 2 μm GaN layer on the silicon carbide (SiC) substrate for Leishmania binding, and coated with a specific antibody against the Leishmania 40S ribosomal protein, which was successfully detected at concentrations from 10⁶ to 10² parasites/mL in 1× PBS. At the concentration of 10⁴ parasites, the immunoFETs device sensitivities were 13% and 0.052% in the sub-threshold regime and the saturation regime, respectively. Leishmania parasites were successfully detected by the ImmunoFET biosensor at a diluted concentration as low as 150 ng/mL. In this study, the developed ImmunoFET biosensor performed well. ImmunoFET biosensors can be used as an alternative diagnostic method to ELISA. Increasing the sensitivity and optimization of immuno-FET biosensors might allow earlier and faster detection of leishmaniasis.

The promise of graphene-based transistors for democratizing multiomics studies

As biological research has synthesized genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics into systems biology, a new multiomics approach to biological research has emerged. Today, multiomics studies are challenging and expensive. An experimental platform that could unify the multiple omics approaches to measurement could increase access to multiomics data by enabling more individual labs to successfully attempt multiomics studies. Field effect biosensing based on graphene transistors have gained significant attention as a potential unifying technology for such multiomics studies. This review article highlights the outstanding performance characteristics that makes graphene field effect transistor an attractive sensing platform for a wide variety of analytes important to system biology. In addition to many studies demonstrating the biosensing capabilities of graphene field effect transistors, they are uniquely suited to address the challenges of multiomics studies by providing an integrative multiplex platform for large scale manufacturing using the well-established processes of semiconductor industry. Furthermore, the resulting digital data is readily analyzable by machine learning to derive actionable biological insight to address the challenge of data compatibility for multiomics studies. A critical stage of systems biology will be democratizing multiomics study, and the graphene field effect transistor is uniquely positioned to serve as an accessible multiomics platform.

Detection and remediation of pollutants to maintain ecosustainability employing nanotechnology: A review

Environmental deterioration due to anthropogenic activities is a threat to sustainable, clean and green environment. Accumulation of hazardous chemicals pollutes soil, water and air and thus significantly affects all the ecosystems. This article highlight the challenges associated with various conventional techniques such as filtration, absorption, flocculation, coagulation, chromatographic and mass spectroscopic techniques. Environmental nanotechnology has provided an innovative frontier to combat the aforesaid issues of sustainable environment by reducing the non-requisite use of raw materials, electricity, excessive use of agrochemicals and release of industrial effluents into water bodies. Various nanotechnology based approaches including surface enhance scattering, surface plasmon resonance; and distinct types of nanoparticles like silver, silicon oxide and zinc oxide have contributed significantly in detection of environmental pollutants. Biosensing technology has also gained significant attention for detection and remediation of pollutants. Furthermore, nanoparticles of gold, ferric oxide and manganese oxide have been used for the on-site remediation of antibiotics, organic dyes, pesticides, and heavy metals. Recently, green nanomaterials have been given more attention to address toxicity issues of chemically synthesized nanomaterials. Hence, nanotechnology has provided a platform with tremendous applications to have sustainable environment for present as well as future generations. This review article will help to understand the fundamentals for achieving the goals of sustainable development, and healthy environment.

Electrochemical Biosensors for Cytokine Profiling: Recent Advancements and Possibilities in the Near Future

Cytokines are soluble proteins secreted by immune cells that act as molecular messengers relaying instructions and mediating various functions performed by the cellular counterparts of the immune system, by means of a synchronized cascade of signaling pathways. Aberrant expression of cytokines can be indicative of anomalous behavior of the immunoregulatory system, as seen in various illnesses and conditions, such as cancer, autoimmunity, neurodegeneration and other physiological disorders. Cancer and autoimmune diseases are particularly adept at developing mechanisms to escape and modulate the immune system checkpoints, reflected by an altered cytokine profile. Cytokine profiling can provide valuable information for diagnosing such diseases and monitoring their progression, as well as assessing the efficacy of immunotherapeutic regiments. Toward this goal, there has been immense interest in the development of ultrasensitive quantitative detection techniques for cytokines, which involves technologies from various scientific disciplines, such as immunology, electrochemistry, photometry, nanotechnology and electronics. This review focusses on one aspect of this collective effort: electrochemical biosensors. Among the various types of biosensors available, electrochemical biosensors are one of the most reliable, user-friendly, easy to manufacture, cost-effective and versatile technologies that can yield results within a short period of time, making it extremely promising for routine clinical testing.

A Review on Biosensors and Recent Development of Nanostructured Materials-Enabled Biosensors

A biosensor is an integrated receptor-transducer device, which can convert a biological response into an electrical signal. The design and development of biosensors have taken a center stage for researchers or scientists in the recent decade owing to the wide range of biosensor applications, such as health care and disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring, water and food quality monitoring, and drug delivery. The main challenges involved in the biosensor progress are (i) the efficient capturing of biorecognition signals and the transformation of these signals into electrochemical, electrical, optical, gravimetric, or acoustic signals (transduction process), (ii) enhancing transducer performance i.e., increasing sensitivity, shorter response time, reproducibility, and low detection limits even to detect individual molecules, and (iii) miniaturization of the biosensing devices using micro-and nano-fabrication technologies. Those challenges can be met through the integration of sensing technology with nanomaterials, which range from zero- to three-dimensional, possessing a high surface-to-volume ratio, good conductivities, shock-bearing abilities, and color tunability. Nanomaterials (NMs) employed in the fabrication and nanobiosensors include nanoparticles (NPs) (high stability and high carrier capacity), nanowires (NWs) and nanorods (NRs) (capable of high detection sensitivity), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (large surface area, high electrical and thermal conductivity), and quantum dots (QDs) (color tunability). Furthermore, these nanomaterials can themselves act as transduction elements. This review summarizes the evolution of biosensors, the types of biosensors based on their receptors, transducers, and modern approaches employed in biosensors using nanomaterials such as NPs (e.g., noble metal NPs and metal oxide NPs), NWs, NRs, CNTs, QDs, and dendrimers and their recent advancement in biosensing technology with the expansion of nanotechnology.

Extended gate field-effect-transistor for sensing cortisol stress hormone

Cortisol is a hormone released in response to stress and is a major glucocorticoid produced by adrenal glands. Here, we report a wearable sensory electronic chip using label-free detection, based on a platinum/graphene aptamer extended gate field effect transistor (EG-FET) for the recognition of cortisol in biological buffers within the Debye screening length. The device shows promising experimental features for real-time monitoring of the circadian rhythm of cortisol in human sweat. We report a hysteresis-free EG-FET with a voltage sensitivity of the order of 14 mV/decade and current sensitivity up to 80% over the four decades of cortisol concentration. The detection limit is 0.2 nM over a wide range, between 1 nM and 10 µM, of cortisol concentrations in physiological fluid, with negligible drift over time and high selectivity. The dynamic range fully covers those in human sweat. We propose a comprehensive analysis and a unified, predictive analytical mapping of current sensitivity in all regimes of operation.

Biosensors Based on Mechanical and Electrical Detection Techniques

Biosensors are powerful analytical tools for biology and biomedicine, with applications ranging from drug discovery to medical diagnostics, food safety, and agricultural and environmental monitoring. Typically, biological recognition receptors, such as enzymes, antibodies, and nucleic acids, are immobilized on a surface, and used to interact with one or more specific analytes to produce a physical or chemical change, which can be captured and converted to an optical or electrical signal by a transducer. However, many existing biosensing methods rely on chemical, electrochemical and optical methods of identification and detection of specific targets, and are often: complex, expensive, time consuming, suffer from a lack of portability, or may require centralised testing by qualified personnel. Given the general dependence of most optical and electrochemical techniques on labelling molecules, this review will instead focus on mechanical and electrical detection techniques that can provide information on a broad range of species without the requirement of labelling. These techniques are often able to provide data in real time, with good temporal sensitivity. This review will cover the advances in the development of mechanical and electrical biosensors, highlighting the challenges and opportunities therein.

Real-time wash-free detection of unlabeled PNA-DNA hybridization using discrete FET sensor

We demonstrate an electrochemical sensor for detection of unlabeled single-stranded DNA using peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes coupled to the field-effect transistor (FET) gate. The label-free detection relies on the intrinsic charge of the DNA backbone. Similar detection schemes have mainly concentrated on sensitivity improvement with an emphasis on new sensor structures. Our approach focuses on using an extended-gate that separates the FET and the sensing electrode yielding a simple and mass fabricable device. We used PNA probes for efficient hybridization in low salt conditions that is required to avoid the counter ion screening. As a result, significant part of the target DNA lies within the screening length of the sensor. With this, we achieved a wash-free detection where  typical gate potential shifts are more than 70 mV with 1 µM target DNA. We routinely obtained a real-time, label- and wash-free specific detection of target DNA in nanomolar concentration with low-cost electronics and the responses were achieved within minutes after introducing targets to the solution. Furthermore, the results suggest that the sensor performance is limited by specificity rather than by sensitivity and using low-cost electronics does not limit the sensor performance in the presented sensor configuration.

Detection of trace concentrations of S-nitrosothiols by means of a capacitive sensor

Small molecule S-nitrosothiols are a class of endogenous chemicals in the body, which have been implicated in a variety of biological functions. However, the labile nature of NO and the limits of current detection assays have made studying these molecules difficult. Here we present a method for detecting trace concentrations of S-nitrosothiols in biological fluids. Capacitive sensors when coupled to a semiconducting material represent a method for detecting trace quantities of a chemical in complex solutions. We have taken advantage of the semiconducting and chemical properties of polydopamine to construct a capacitive sensor and associated method of use, which specifically senses S-nitrosothiols in complex biological solutions.

Systematic Approach to the Development of Microfabricated Biosensors: Relationship between Gold Surface Pretreatment and Thiolated Molecule Binding

Despite the increasing popularity of microfabricated biosensors due to advances in technologic and surface functionalization strategies, their successful implementation is partially inhibited by the lack of consistency in their analytical characteristics. One of the main causes for the discrepancies is the absence of a systematic and comprehensive approach to surface functionalization. In this article microfabricated gold electrodes aimed at biosensor development have been systematically characterized in terms of surface pretreatment, thiolated molecule binding, and reproducibility by means of X-ray photoelectron scattering (XPS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). It has been shown that after SU-8 photolithography gold surfaces were markedly contaminated, which decreased the effective surface area and surface coverage of a model molecule mercaptohexanol (MCH). Three surface pretreatment methods compatible with microfabricated devices were compared. The investigated methods were (i) cyclic voltammetry in dilute H₂SO₄, (ii) gentle basic piranha followed by linear sweep voltammetry in dilute KOH, and (iii) oxygen plasma treatment followed by incubation in ethanol. It was shown that all three methods significantly decreased the contamination and increased MCH surface coverage. Most importantly, it was also revealed that surface pretreatments may induce structural changes to the gold surfaces. Accordingly, these alterations influence the characteristics of MCH functionalization.

Field effect sensors for nucleic Acid detection: recent advances and future perspectives

In the last decade the use of field-effect-based devices has become a basic structural element in a new generation of biosensors that allow label-free DNA analysis. In particular, ion sensitive field effect transistors (FET) are the basis for the development of radical new approaches for the specific detection and characterization of DNA due to FETs’ greater signal-to-noise ratio, fast measurement capabilities, and possibility to be included in portable instrumentation. Reliable molecular characterization of DNA and/or RNA is vital for disease diagnostics and to follow up alterations in gene expression profiles. FET biosensors may become a relevant tool for molecular diagnostics and at point-of-care. The development of these devices and strategies should be carefully designed, as biomolecular recognition and detection events must occur within the Debye length. This limitation is sometimes considered to be fundamental for FET devices and considerable efforts have been made to develop better architectures. Herein we review the use of field effect sensors for nucleic acid detection strategies—from production and functionalization to integration in molecular diagnostics platforms, with special focus on those that have made their way into the diagnostics lab.

Micro- and nano-structure based oligonucleotide sensors

This paper presents a review of micro- and nano-structure based oligonucleotide detection and quantification techniques. The characteristics of such devices make them very attractive for Point-of-Care or On-Site-Testing biosensing applications. Their small scale means that they can be robust and portable, their compatibility with modern CMOS electronics means that they can easily be incorporated into hand-held devices and their suitability for mass production means that, out of the different approaches to oligonucleotide detection, they are the most suitable for commercialisation. This review discusses the advantages of micro- and nano-structure based sensors and covers the various oligonucleotide detection techniques that have been developed to date. These include: Bulk Acoustic Wave and Surface Acoustic Wave devices, micro- and nano-cantilever sensors, gene Field Effect Transistors, and nanowire and nanopore based sensors. Oligonucleotide immobilisation techniques are also discussed.

Effect of biointerfacing linker chemistries on the sensitivity of silicon nanowires for protein detection

Point-of-care diagnostics show promise in removing reliance on centralized lab testing facilities and may help increase both the survival rate for infectious diseases as well as monitoring of chronic illnesses. CMOS compatible diagnostic platforms are currently being considered as possible solutions as they can be easily miniaturized and can be cost-effective. Top-down fabricated silicon nanowires are a CMOS-compatible technology which have demonstrated high sensitivities in detecting biological analytes, such as proteins, DNA, and RNA. However, the reported response of nanowires to these analytes has varied widely since several different functionalization protocols have been attempted with little characterization and comparison. Here we report protocols for fabrication and functionalization of silicon nanowires which yield highly stable nanowires in aqueous solutions and limits of detection to ∼1 pg/mL of the model protein used in the study. A thorough characterization was done into optimizing the release of the silicon nanowires using combined dry and wet etch techniques, which yielded nanowires that could be directly compared to increase output statistics. Moreover, a range of different linker chemistries were tried for reacting the primary antibody, and its response to target and nonspecific antigens, with polyethylene glycol based linker BS(PEG)5 providing the best response. Consequently, this chemistry was used to characterize different oxide thicknesses and their responses to the mouse IgG antigen, which with the smallest oxide thickness yielded 0.1-1 pg/mL limits of detection and a dynamic range over 3 orders of magnitude.

ORGANIC-SILICON INTERFACE

A review of the performances of existing field-effect-transistor (FET) based biosensing devices and reports of fundamental studies of FET structures in a planar geometry identify substantial amplification improvements in eliminating metal intermediaries between the biorecognitive surfaces and the silicon channels, reducing thicknesses of insulating gates and selecting channel apertures that are comparable with achievable thicknesses of depletion layers. Exemplary improvements have been achieved in FET-based silicon nano-wires in which biorecognitive surfaces were attached to the oxidized surfaces that functioned as insulating gates. Fundamental studies in which the silicon dioxide gate was replaced with an organic layer using Si – C chemistry demonstrate the retention of the field-effect characteristics and promise improved performance potential to present FET-based devices. These studies also report electrical field compression of the organic layer and electrical polarisation of the electrolyte that have operational implications for biorecognition. Development of practical robust devices that can exhibit unambiguous recognitive capabilities in diverse biological aquatic environments is dependent on further extensive fundamental studies of organic-silicon interfaces and bio-recognitive processes.

Ion-sensitive field-effect transistor for biological sensing

In recent years there has been great progress in applying FET-type biosensors for highly sensitive biological detection. Among them, the ISFET (ion-sensitive field-effect transistor) is one of the most intriguing approaches in electrical biosensing technology. Here, we review some of the main advances in this field over the past few years, explore its application prospects, and discuss the main issues, approaches, and challenges, with the aim of stimulating a broader interest in developing ISFET-based biosensors and extending their applications for reliable and sensitive analysis of various biomolecules such as DNA, proteins, enzymes, and cells.

The use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for biosensing

This review introduces the basic concepts and terms associated with impedance and techniques of measuring impedance. The focus of this review is on the application of this transduction method for sensing purposes. Examples of its use in combination with enzymes, antibodies, DNA and with cells will be described. Important fields of application include immune and nucleic acid analysis. Special attention is devoted to the various electrode design and amplification schemes developed for sensitivity enhancement. Electrolyte insulator semiconductor (EIS) structures will be treated separately.

Electrochemical Biosensors - Sensor Principles and Architectures

Quantification of biological or biochemical processes are of utmost importance for medical, biological and biotechnological applications. However, converting the biological information to an easily processed electronic signal is challenging due to the complexity of connecting an electronic device directly to a biological environment. Electrochemical biosensors provide an attractive means to analyze the content of a biological sample due to the direct conversion of a biological event to an electronic signal. Over the past decades several sensing concepts and related devices have been developed. In this review, the most common traditional techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, impedance spectroscopy, and various field-effect transistor based methods are presented along with selected promising novel approaches, such as nanowire or magnetic nanoparticle-based biosensing. Additional measurement techniques, which have been shown useful in combination with electrochemical detection, are also summarized, such as the electrochemical versions of surface plasmon resonance, optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy, ellipsometry, quartz crystal microbalance, and scanning probe microscopy. The signal transduction and the general performance of electrochemical sensors are often determined by the surface architectures that connect the sensing element to the biological sample at the nanometer scale. The most common surface modification techniques, the various electrochemical transduction mechanisms, and the choice of the recognition receptor molecules all influence the ultimate sensitivity of the sensor. New nanotechnology-based approaches, such as the use of engineered ion-channels in lipid bilayers, the encapsulation of enzymes into vesicles, polymersomes, or polyelectrolyte capsules provide additional possibilities for signal amplification. In particular, this review highlights the importance of the precise control over the delicate interplay between surface nano-architectures, surface functionalization and the chosen sensor transducer principle, as well as the usefulness of complementary characterization tools to interpret and to optimize the sensor response.

Impedance spectroscopy and biosensing

This chapter introduces the basic terms of impedance and the technique of impedance measurements. Furthermore, an overview of the application of this transduction method for analytical purposes will be given. Examples for combination with enzymes, antibodies, DNA but also for the analysis of living cells will be described. Special attention is devoted to the different electrode design and amplification schemes developed for sensitivity enhancement. Finally, the last two sections will show examples from the label-free determination of DNA and the sensorial detection of autoantibodies involved in celiac disease.

Enzyme biosensors based on ion-selective field-effect transistors

The key theoretical principles of the work on ion-selective field-effect transistor connected with their application in bioanalytical practice, some specifics of modern microtechnologies for their creation, and measurement schemes with set-ups are discussed. The achievements in the creation of enzyme biosensors based on ion-selective field-effect transistors and prospects for their application are described in detail.