Biotransistor with Functional Nanointerface Containing Biomolecules

Abstract

The convergence of nano-/bio- technology with biomedicine has occurred tremendously over the last few decades. In particular, next-generation biosensors offer great potential to treat serious medical problems in the fields of diagnostics, therapy, and drug delivery. Advantageously, an electrical biosensor platform composed of target-capturing element and semiconductor device as a signal transducer is compatible with a high-throughput analysis via miniaturization and integration into a small chip for decentralized bioanalytical applications. So far, we have successfully achieved potentiometric biosensing based mostly on a direct readout of innately charged biomolecules using field effect transistor (FET). Highly specific molecular recognition is available by constructing engineered biointerface on the sensor. Furthermore, the potentiometric technique provides the ability to perform label-free and real-time detection for various biomolecules. These features would help to promote personalized medicine for individual patients in the future. Here we describe fundamental aspects of electrical biosensing and review recent developments of the FET-based biotransistors.