Design and fabrication of a biomimetic nanochannel for highly sensitive arginine response in serum samples

Inspired from their biological counterparts, chemical modification of the interior surface of nanochannels with functional molecules may provide a highly efficient means to control ionic or molecular transport through nanochannels. Herein, we have designed and prepared a aldehyde calix[4]arene (C4AH), which was attached to the interior surface of a single nanochannel by using a click reaction, and that showed a high response for arginine (Arg). Furthermore, the nanofluidic sensing system has been challenged with complex matrices containing a high concentration of interfering sequences and serum. Based on this finding, we believe that the artificial nanochannel can be used for practical Arg-sensing devices, and be applied in a biological environment.