Attomolar Label-Free Detection of DNA Hybridization with Electrolyte-Gated Graphene Field-Effect Transistors

ACS Sens. 2019 Feb 22;4(2):286-293. doi: 10.1021/acssensors.8b00344. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Abstract

In this work, we develop a field-effect transistor with a two-dimensional channel made of a single graphene layer to achieve label-free detection of DNA hybridization down to attomolar concentration, while being able to discriminate a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The SNP-level target specificity is achieved by immobilization of probe DNA on the graphene surface through a pyrene-derivative heterobifunctional linker. Biorecognition events result in a positive gate voltage shift of the graphene charge neutrality point. The graphene transistor biosensor displays a sensitivity of 24 mV/dec with a detection limit of 25 aM: the lowest target DNA concentration for which the sensor can discriminate between a perfect-match target sequence and SNP-containing one.

Keywords: DNA; EGFET (electrolyte-gated field-effect transistor); biosensor; graphene; planar technology; receded gate transistor; surface functionalization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation*
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA Probes / chemistry
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Limit of Detection*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Surface Properties
  • Transistors, Electronic*

Substances

  • DNA Probes
  • Graphite
  • DNA