High-performance graphene field-effect transistor platform for on-site schizophrenia-related biomarkers detection

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Materials Science

Background:

• Objective diagnosis of schizophrenia is challenging due to reliance on subjective assessments and diagnostic delays.
• Current diagnostic methods for schizophrenia lack objective biomarkers, leading to delayed treatment.
• There is a need for rapid, sensitive, and objective diagnostic tools for schizophrenia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a portable, multiplexed graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) biosensor array for simultaneous detection of schizophrenia biomarkers.
• To achieve ultrasensitive detection of cortisol, serotonin, and dopamine at femtomolar concentrations.
• To create a point-of-care tool for rapid and objective psychiatric diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a multiplexed GFET biosensor array using microelectromechanical systems processes.
• Functionalization of individual graphene channels with specific bioreceptors for selective biomarker detection.
• Real-time monitoring of GFET transfer characteristics to detect biomarker binding via Dirac point shifts.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated femtomolar-level sensitivity and specificity for cortisol, serotonin, and dopamine detection.
• Achieved high selectivity and minimal cross-reactivity in both phosphate-buffered saline and artificial serum.
• Integrated Bluetooth-enabled data transmission for real-time monitoring and point-of-care application.

Conclusions:

• The GFET biosensor platform offers a rapid, objective, and ultrasensitive method for detecting schizophrenia biomarkers.
• This technology has the potential to reduce diagnostic latency and support personalized treatment strategies in mental health care.
• The developed biosensor advances precision mental health by providing a complementary tool to conventional psychiatric diagnostics.