Ultrasensitive Label-free MiRNA Sensing Based on a Flexible Graphene Field-Effect Transistor without Functionalization

Abstract

A flexible graphene field-effect transistor (Gr-FET) biosensor for ultrasensitive and specific detection of miRNA without labeling and functionalization is reported. The flexible biosensor presents robust performance even after multiple cycles of bending to a cylinder with an 8 mm radius. A DNA probe is designed with partial segment complementary to target miRNA, and immobilized on the graphene surface though π−π stacking interaction. After capture of target miRNA, a Dirac point shift in Gr-FET is induced, which shows a linear relationship with the target miRNA concentration on a semi-log scale. The Gr-FET-based biosensor finishes miRNA detection in 20 min, and is able to achieve a miRNA detection limit as low as 10 fM without any functionalization and labeling. The interaction processes of DNA-graphene and DNA-miRNA are confirmed through surface-enhanced Raman scattering technology. The proposed biosensor will have prospective applications in wearable electronics for health monitoring and disease diagnosis.

Real-time label-free detection of DNA hybridization using a functionalized graphene field effect transistor: a theoretical study

“…There are some experimental studies that show that GFET DNA biosensors are a good candidate as a detector of DNA hybridization with high sensitivity, selectivity, stability, reproducibility, and reusability (Li et al 2019 ; Mensah et al 2020 ; Gao et al 2020 ; Kim et al 2020 ; Vishnubhotla et al 2020 ; Zheng et al 2015 ; Xu et al 2018 ; Hwang et al 2020 ).…”

Applications of 2D-Layered Palladium Diselenide and Its van der Waals Heterostructures in Electronics and Optoelectronics

“…For example, the 2D material-based transistors have been embedded in a microfluidic chip for microRNA detection and screening [71]. The chemical sensors of 2D materials have demonstrated superior performances.…”

“…The air stability of PdSe 2 guarantees the lifetime of its transistor-based sensor applications in a wet environment. For example, the 2D material-based transistors have been embedded in a microfluidic chip for microRNA detection and screening [ 71 ]. The chemical sensors of 2D materials have demonstrated superior performances.…”

Graphene-Based Environmental Sensors: Electrical and Optical Devices

“…This is achieved through the addition of functional groups to graphene’s surface [ 49 ]. The most commonly used functionalization methods include covalently bonding functional groups (e.g., carboxylic acid, epoxy) on graphene, or adsorbing conjugated organic molecules (e.g., enzyme, sRNA or DNAzyme) through π-π interactions [ 50 , 51 , 52 ]. Here, we introduce two typical approaches used for graphene functionalization for highly selective GFETs sensing devices.…”