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A supersensitive silicon nanowire array biosensor for quantitating tumor marker ctDNA
Dujuan Li1, Huiyi Chen1, Kai Fan2
1Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center of Smart Microsensors and Microsystems, College of Electronics and Information, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|March 27, 2021
Summary
A novel silicon nanowire (SiNW) array field-effect transistor (FET) biosensor enables highly sensitive, real-time detection of PIK3CA E542K circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). This breakthrough offers potential for early cancer diagnosis and monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Cancer remains a significant global health threat.
- Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing via liquid biopsy is crucial for cancer management.
- Existing ctDNA detection methods require further improvement in sensitivity and real-time analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel field-effect transistor (FET) biosensor for ultrasensitive ctDNA detection.
- To investigate the real-time, label-free detection capabilities of silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays for PIK3CA E542K mutations.
- To assess the biosensor's performance in clinical samples, such as human serum.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a high-response 120-SiNW array using CMOS-compatible microfabrication on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate.
- Modification of the SiNW array surface with DNA probes via silanization for specific ctDNA capture.
- Real-time, label-free electrical detection of ctDNA using the FET biosensor.
Main Results:
- The SiNW-array FET biosensor achieved an ultralow detection limit of 10 aM for ctDNA.
- A wide linear detection range from 0.1 fM to 100 pM was demonstrated.
- The biosensor exhibited high selectivity, distinguishing target ctDNA from mismatched DNA sequences.
- Successful detection of ctDNA in human serum samples was achieved.
Conclusions:
- The developed SiNW-array FET biosensor provides a highly sensitive and selective platform for ctDNA detection.
- This technology shows significant potential for non-invasive cancer diagnosis, targeted therapy selection, and prognosis.
- The label-free, real-time detection capability makes it suitable for future clinical applications.
