Single-molecule detection with a millimetre-sized transistor

Eleonora Macchia, Kyriaki Manoli, Brigitte Holzer, Cinzia Di Franco, Matteo Ghittorelli, Fabrizio Torricelli, Domenico Alberga, Giuseppe Felice Mangiatordi, Gerardo Palazzo, Gaetano Scamarcio and Luisa Torsi ()
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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”
Gerardo Palazzo: Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”
Gaetano Scamarcio: Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie
Luisa Torsi: Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05235-z

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