Detection of heart failure-related biomarker in whole blood with graphene field effect transistor biosensor.

Since brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has become internationally recognized biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure (HF), it is highly desirable to search for a novel sensing tool for detecting the patient's BNP level at the early stage. Here we report a platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs)-decorated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) field effect transistor (FET) biosensor coupled with a microfilter system for label-free and highly sensitive detection of BNP in whole blood. The PtNPs-decorated rGO FET sensor was obtained by drop-casting rGO onto the pre-fabricated FET chip and subsequently assembling PtNPs on the graphene surface. After anti-BNP was bound to the PtNPs surface, BNP was successfully detected by the anti-BNP immobilized FET biosensor. It was found that the developed FET biosensor was able to achieve a low detection limitation of 100fM. Moreover, BNP was successfully detected in human whole blood sample treated by a custom-made microfilter, suggesting the sensor's capability of working in a complex sample matrix. The developed FET biosensor provides a new sensing platform for protein detection, showing its potential applications in clinic sample.

Real-Time Monitoring of Nitric Oxide at Single-Cell Level with Porphyrin-Functionalized Graphene Field-Effect Transistor Biosensor.

An ultrasensitive and highly efficient assay for real-time monitoring of nitric oxide (NO) at single-cell level based on a reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and iron-porphyrin-functionalized graphene (FGPCs) field-effect transistor (FET) biosensor is reported. A layer-to-layer assembly of RGO and FGPCs on a prefabricated FET sensor surface through π-π stacking interaction allowed superior electrical conductivity caused by RGO, and highly catalytic specificity induced by metalloporphyrin, ensuring the ultrasensitive and highly specific detection of NO. The results demonstrated that the RGO/FGPCs FET biosensor was capable of real-time monitoring of NO in the range from 1 pM to 100 nM with the limit of detection as low as 1 pM in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and 10 pM in the cell medium, respectively. Moreover, the developed biosensor could be used for real-time monitoring of NO released from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) at single-cell level. Along with its miniaturized sizes, ultrasensitive characteristics, and fast response, the FET biosensor is promising as a new platform for potential biological and diagnostic applications.