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Abstract Universal platforms for biomolecular analysis using label‐free sensing modalities can address important diagnostic challenges. Electrical field effect‐sensors are an important class of devices that can enable point‐of‐care sensing by probing the charge in the biological entities. Use of crumpled graphene for this application is especially promising. It is previously reported that the limit of detection (LoD) on electrical field effect‐based sensors using DNA molecules on the crumpled graphene FET (field‐effect transistor) platform. Here, the crumpled graphene FET‐based biosensing of important biomarkers including small molecules and proteins is reported. The performance of devices is systematically evaluated and optimized by studying the effect of the crumpling ratio on electrical double layer (EDL) formation and bandgap opening on the graphene. It is also shown that a small and electroneutral molecule dopamine can be captured by an aptamer and its conformation change induced electrical signal changes. Three kinds of proteins were captured with specific antibodies including interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and two viral proteins. All tested biomarkers are detectable with the highest sensitivity reported on the electrical platform. Significantly, two COVID‐19 related proteins, nucleocapsid (N‐) and spike (S‐) proteins antigens are successfully detected with extremely low LoDs. This electrical antigen tests can contribute to the challenge of rapid, point‐of‐care diagnostics.
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High Sensitivity Graphene Field Effect Transistor‐Based Detection of DNA Amplification
Abstract Enzymatic DNA amplification‐based approaches involving intercalating DNA‐binding fluorescent dyes and expensive optical detectors are the gold standard for nucleic acid detection. As components of a simplified and miniaturized system, conventional silicon‐based ion sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) that measure a decrease in pH due to the generation of pyrophosphates during DNA amplification have been previously reported. In this article, Bst polymerase in a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reaction combined with target‐specific primers and crumpled graphene field effect transistors (gFETs) to electrically detect amplification by sensing the reduction in primers is used. Graphene is known to adsorb single‐stranded DNA due to noncovalent π–π bonds, but not double‐stranded DNA. This approach does not require any surface functionalization and allows the detection of primer concentrations at the endpoint of reactions. As recently demonstrated, the crumpled gFET over the conventional flat gFET sensors due to their superior sensitivity is chosen. The endpoint of amplification reaction with starting concentrations down to 8 × 10−21min 90 min including the time of amplification and detection is detected. With its high sensitivity and small footprint, this platform will help bring complex lab‐based diagnostic and genotyping amplification assays to the point‐of‐care.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1720633
- PAR ID:
- 10449805
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Functional Materials
- Volume:
- 30
- Issue:
- 28
- ISSN:
- 1616-301X
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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