Flexible Multiplexed In₂O₃ Nanoribbon Aptamer-Field-Effect Transistors for Biosensing

Area of Science:

• Bioelectronics
• Materials Science
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Flexible sensors are crucial for implantable and wearable bioelectronics.
• Real-time monitoring of multiple neurotransmitters in vivo is key for understanding brain function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop flexible biosensors for simultaneous, real-time detection of neurotransmitters.
• To assess the performance of indium oxide nanoribbon field-effect transistors (FETs) for in vivo neurochemical sensing.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of indium oxide (In2O3) nanoribbon FET arrays on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates.
• Functionalization of In2O3 nanoribbons with high-affinity nucleic acid aptamers for serotonin and dopamine detection.
• Testing device stability under bending conditions and evaluating detection limits and ranges.

Main Results:

• The flexible PET-FET devices demonstrated stable performance with high mobility over 100 bending cycles.
• Real-time detection of serotonin and dopamine achieved limits of detection as low as 10 femtomolar (fM).
• Simultaneous sensing of temperature, pH, serotonin, and dopamine was demonstrated, integrating physiological and neurochemical data.

Conclusions:

• Developed highly sensitive and stable flexible biosensors for real-time neurotransmitter detection.
• Demonstrated the potential of these devices for in vivo monitoring of brain neurochemical fluxes.
• Enabled integration of multiple physiological and neurochemical signals from a single bioelectronic device.