Aptamer-Field-Effect Transistors for Small-Molecule Sensing in Complex Environments

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Biosensing

Background:

• Field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors are crucial for detecting small molecules in biological samples.
• Conventional FET platforms face limitations due to Debye screening in high ionic strength environments, restricting sensing to <1 nm.
• Aptamers, with their conformational changes upon target binding, can overcome these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate high-performance, ultrathin-film FETs for biosensing.
• To functionalize FETs with aptamers for enhanced target recognition.
• To establish electronic sensing protocols and calibration methods for reliable measurements.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of ultrathin-film field-effect transistors.
• Functionalization of FET surfaces with aptamers.
• Development of electronic sensing measurement protocols.
• Implementation of calibration methods to reduce device variability.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated fabrication of high-performance FET biosensors.
• Successfully functionalized FETs with aptamers for target detection.
• Developed protocols for electronic signal transduction overcoming Debye screening.
• Established calibration methods for minimizing device-to-device variations.

Conclusions:

• Aptamer-functionalized FETs provide a viable platform for detecting small molecules in complex biological samples.
• The developed fabrication and calibration methods enhance sensor performance and reliability.
• This approach overcomes Debye screening limitations, expanding FET biosensor applications.