Attomolar detection of hepatitis C virus core protein powered by molecular antenna-like effect in a graphene field-effect aptasensor

0568107 - FZÚ 2024 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Palacio, I. - Moreno, M. - Nanez, A. - Purwidyantri, A. - Domingues, T. - Cabral, P.D. - Borme, J. - Marciello, M. - Mendieta Moreno, Jesús Ignacio - Torres-Vazquez, B. - Martinez, J. I. - Lopez, M. F. - Garcia-Hernandez, M. - Vazquez, L. - Jelínek, Pavel - Alpuim, P. - Briones, C. - Martin-Gago, J. A.
Attomolar detection of hepatitis C virus core protein powered by molecular antenna-like effect in a graphene field-effect aptasensor.
Biosensors and Bioelectronics. Roč. 222, Feb. (2023), č. článku 115006. ISSN 0956-5663. E-ISSN 1873-4235
Institutional support: RVO:68378271
Keywords : biosensors * graphene * FET * DFT
OECD category: Condensed matter physics (including formerly solid state physics, supercond.)
Impact factor: 12.6, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access

Biosensors based on graphene field-effect transistors have become a promising tool for detecting a broad range of analytes. However, their performance is substantially affected by the functionalization protocol. In this work, we use a controlled in-vacuum physical method for the covalent functionalization of graphene to construct ultra- sensitive aptamer-based biosensors (aptasensors) able to detect hepatitis C virus core protein. These devices are highly specific and robust, achieving attomolar detection of the viral protein in human blood plasma. Such an improved sensitivity is rationalized by theoretical calculations showing that induced polarization at the graphene interface, caused by the proximity of covalently bound molecular probe, modulates the charge balance at the graphene/aptamer interface. This charge balance causes a net shift of the Dirac cone providing enhanced sensitivity for the attomolar detection of the target proteins.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0342265