DNA detection using organic thin film transistors: optimization of DNA immobilization and sensor sensitivity

Advancements in research and technology are happening now more than ever in the biotechnology industry. Better detection and treatment methods, specifically targeted towards personalized systems, are constantly being sought by researchers. Collaboration among different fields of science and technology has brought us one step closer towards achieving this goal. Recently, the use of pentacene thin film transistors as DNA hybridization detection systems has been demonstrated, leading to the possibility of their use in the implementation of electrically read low-cost DNA microarrays. Physical adsorptive immobilization, the mechanism through which DNA immobilizes on pentacene, highlights the importance of the topology of the pentacene film surface for immobilization of DNA and the sensitivity of the sensor. DNA is known to segregate to topological features on pentacene surface. We are able to exploit the control of pentacene evaporation conditions to tune pentacene film morphology to maximize sensitivity. In this paper, we demonstrate and analyze DNA detection using optimized films.