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Few-Layer MoS2 Photodetector Arrays for Ultrasensitive On-Chip Enzymatic Colorimetric Analysis.
Younggeun Park1,2, Byunghoon Ryu1, Seung Jun Ki1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.
ACS Nano
|April 7, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a novel optoelectronic biosensor using molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) photodetector arrays for rapid, cost-effective, and sensitive detection of d-lactate, a key infection biomarker. This technology enables point-of-care diagnosis of metabolic disorders.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics
- Biosensing
- Nanomaterials
Background:
- Enzymatic colorimetric analysis detects disease-associated metabolic changes.
- Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) offer potential for sensitive biosensors.
- Cost-effective, batched, point-of-care diagnostics require reliable photodetector arrays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct and evaluate TMDC photodetector arrays for on-chip enzymatic colorimetric assays.
- To develop a miniaturized optoelectronic biosensor for detecting the biomarker d-lactate.
- To enable timely and cost-effective diagnosis of metabolic disorders in near-patient settings.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of 4 × 4 pixel arrays of few-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) photodetectors.
- Integration of MoS2 photodetector arrays with microfluidic enzyme reaction chambers.
- On-chip enzymatic colorimetric detection of d-lactate using the optoelectronic biosensor chip.
Main Results:
- Achieved arrayed on-chip detection of d-lactate with a limit of detection 1000-fold lower than the clinical baseline.
- Demonstrated a 10-minute assay time, high selectivity, and low variability across the photodetector arrays.
- Successfully detected d-lactate in various biofluids (saliva, urine, plasma, serum) from swine and humans.
Conclusions:
- The developed MoS2 optoelectronic biosensor chip enables sensitive, rapid, and selective detection of d-lactate.
- The biosensor shows potential for diagnosing systemic infection and inflammation by correlating high d-lactate levels with symptoms.
- The lensless, waveguide-free architecture facilitates the development of integrated, hand-held diagnostic modules for near-patient metabolic disorder screening.

