Graphene oxide-graphene Van der Waals heterostructure transistor biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 protein detection

Abstract

The current outbreaking of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic threatens global health and has caused serious concern. Currently there is no specific drug against SARS-CoV-2, therefore, a fast and accurate diagnosis method is an urgent need for the diagnosis, timely treatment and infection control of COVID-19 pandemic. In this work, we developed a field effect transistor (FET) biosensor based on graphene oxide-graphene (GO/Gr) van der Waals heterostructure for selective and ultrasensitive SARS-CoV-2 proteins detection. The GO/Gr van der Waals heterostructure was in-situ formed in the microfluidic channel through π-π stacking. The developed biosensor is capable of SARS-CoV-2 proteins detection within 20 min in the large dynamic range from 10 fg/mL to 100 pg/mL with the limit of detection of as low as ∼8 fg/mL, which shows ∼3 × sensitivity enhancement compared with Gr-FET biosensor. The performance enhancement mechanism was studied based on the transistor-based biosensing theory and experimental results, which is mainly attributed to the enhanced SARS-CoV-2 capture antibody immobilization density due to the introduction of the GO layer on the graphene surface. The spiked SARS-CoV-2 protein samples in throat swab buffer solution were tested to confirm the practical application of the biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 proteins detection. The results indicated that the developed GO/Gr van der Waals heterostructure FET biosensor has strong selectivity and high sensitivity, providing a potential method for SARS-CoV-2 fast and accurate detection.

Advances in the Analysis of Pharmaceuticals by Using Graphene‐Based Sensors

“…It has been found to be able to detect proteinaceous agents at a concentration as low as 1–100 fg/mL [70] . A similar observation of the high sensitivity of graphene‐based FET sensors in protein detection has also been reported by Gao and co‐workers, [71] who have successfully used the sensor to detect a proteinaceous agent in a sample with the sensitivity limit of as low as 8 fg/mL. Apart from fabricating FETs, graphene‐based materials can be directly manipulated physically or chemically for sensor development.…”

Analytical performances of different diagnostic methods for SARS-CoV-2 virus - A review

“…A layer of GO was applied to the graphene surface, enhancing the sensor's sensitivity. The sensor can detect viral proteins in 20 mins with a L.O.D of ∼8 fg/mL [ 58 ].…”

Ultrasensitive Antibiotic Perceiving Based on Aptamer-Functionalized Ultraclean Graphene Field-Effect Transistor Biosensor

“…17 There have been many conventional PMMA transfer (CPT)-based graphene studies that have achieved fruitful results. 18,19 However, these devices suffer from issues such as large polymer particle residues and more severe doping, 20 resulting in device performance degradation, which makes it a challenge to develop high-performance biosensors. Through the design of transfer methods assisted by easily removable materials (such as rosin and wax), researchers have obtained high-quality graphene with fewer defects, exhibiting lower resistivity and higher carrier mobility.…”

“…There have been many conventional PMMA transfer (CPT)-based graphene studies that have achieved fruitful results. , However, these devices suffer from issues such as large polymer particle residues and more severe doping, resulting in device performance degradation, which makes it a challenge to develop high-performance biosensors. Through the design of transfer methods assisted by easily removable materials (such as rosin and wax), researchers have obtained high-quality graphene with fewer defects, exhibiting lower resistivity and higher carrier mobility. , Here, we used a novel camphor–rosin double layer-assisted clean transfer (CRCT) method to obtain high-quality graphene and performance-enhanced field-effect transistors with a more than 6-fold improvement in carrier mobility, which provides a reliable platform for building highly sensitive biosensors.…”

“…The core steps in constructing FET biosensors are surface functionalization, probe design, and immobilization . For the study of GFET biosensors, we have reported high-performance biosensors by surface functionalization with PLL and GO for antibody and nucleic acid detection. , In our previous works, we successfully developed biosensors based on either CPT-based graphene FETs or laser-induced graphene FETs for SARS-CoV-2 protein detection using antibodies and RNA detection using complementary single-stranded DNA probes. ,, Aptamers are short nucleic acid stretches with a specific three-dimensional structure that can be developed with high affinity and specificity to form complexes through interaction with the desired targets (such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and antibiotics) and are perfect for use as sensing probes. FET biosensors using aptamer modification have made positive progress recently with works on divalent cation, phenylalanine, and avian influenza virus .…”