Carbon nanotube transistors for biosensing applications

Electronic detection of biomolecules, although still in its early stages, is gradually emerging as an effective alternative to optical detection methods. We describe field effect transistor devices with carbon nanotube conducting channels that have been developed and used for biosensing and biodetection. Both transistors with single carbon nanotube conducting channels and devices with nanotube network conducting channels have been fabricated and their electronic characteristics examined. The devices readily respond to changes in the environment, and such effects have been examined using gas molecules and coatings with specific properties. Device operation in (conducting) buffer and in a dry environment--after buffer removal--is also discussed. Applications in the biosensing area are illustrated with three examples: the investigation of the interaction between devices and biomolecules, the electronic monitoring of biomolecular processes, and attempts to integrate cell membranes with active electronic devices.