Reconfigurable Carbon Nanotube Multiplexed Sensing Devices.

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) offer unique electronic properties for biosensing applications.
• Developing multiplexed biosensors for simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers is crucial for comprehensive health monitoring.
• Current diagnostic methods often lack the sensitivity, reconfigurability, or portability required for point-of-care applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate reconfigurable, solution-processable nanoscale biosensors with multisensing capabilities.
• To functionalize SWCNTs with specific aptamers for selective detection of stress and neuro-trauma biomarkers.
• To demonstrate real-time, multiplexed detection of biomarkers in complex biological matrices like serum.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of nanoscale biosensors using dielectrophoresis (DEP) to immobilize distinct DNA-wrapped SWCNTs onto prepatterned electrodes.
• Functionalization of SWCNTs with specific aptamer sequences as recognition elements.
• Multiplexed detection of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) using the fabricated biosensors.

Main Results:

• Successful multiplexed detection of three biomarkers (cortisol, DHEAS, NPY) in real-time.
• Achieved low detection limits in serum: 50 nM for cortisol, 10 nM for DHEAS, and 500 pM for NPY.
• Demonstrated reconfigurability and reusability of the nanoscale biosensors through a simple cleaning procedure.

Conclusions:

• The developed SWCNT-based nanoscale biosensors are reconfigurable, solution-processable, and exhibit multisensing capabilities.
• The strategy enables facile, low-cost fabrication of portable diagnostic assays for simultaneous monitoring of various health parameters.
• These findings hold significant potential for advancing next-generation, low-power portable diagnostic devices for real-time health assessment.