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Single-molecule detection with a millimetre-sized transistor

Author

Listed:
  • Eleonora Macchia

    (Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”)

  • Kyriaki Manoli

    (Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”)

  • Brigitte Holzer

    (Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”)

  • Cinzia Di Franco

    (Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie)

  • Matteo Ghittorelli

    (Università degli Studi di Brescia)

  • Fabrizio Torricelli

    (Università degli Studi di Brescia)

  • Domenico Alberga

    (Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”)

  • Giuseppe Felice Mangiatordi

    (Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”
    Istituto Tumori IRCCS Giovanni Paolo II)

  • Gerardo Palazzo

    (Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”
    CSGI (Centre for Colloid and Surface Science))

  • Gaetano Scamarcio

    (Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie
    Università degli Studi di Bari – “Aldo Moro”)

  • Luisa Torsi

    (Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”
    CSGI (Centre for Colloid and Surface Science)
    Åbo Akademi University)

Abstract

Label-free single-molecule detection has been achieved so far by funnelling a large number of ligands into a sequence of single-binding events with few recognition elements host on nanometric transducers. Such approaches are inherently unable to sense a cue in a bulk milieu. Conceptualizing cells’ ability to sense at the physical limit by means of highly-packed recognition elements, a millimetric sized field-effect-transistor is used to detect a single molecule. To this end, the gate is bio-functionalized with a self-assembled-monolayer of 1012 capturing anti-Immunoglobulin-G and is endowed with a hydrogen-bonding network enabling cooperative interactions. The selective and label-free single molecule IgG detection is strikingly demonstrated in diluted saliva while 15 IgGs are assayed in whole serum. The suggested sensing mechanism, triggered by the affinity binding event, involves a work-function change that is assumed to propagate in the gating-field through the electrostatic hydrogen-bonding network. The proposed immunoassay platform is general and can revolutionize the current approach to protein detection.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleonora Macchia & Kyriaki Manoli & Brigitte Holzer & Cinzia Di Franco & Matteo Ghittorelli & Fabrizio Torricelli & Domenico Alberga & Giuseppe Felice Mangiatordi & Gerardo Palazzo & Gaetano Scamarcio, 2018. "Single-molecule detection with a millimetre-sized transistor," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-05235-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05235-z
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