Sybodies as Novel Bioreceptors toward Field-Effect Transistor-Based Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antigens

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has increased the demand forlow-cost,portable, and rapid biosensors, driving huge research efforts towardnew nanomaterial-based approaches with high sensitivity. Many of thememploy antibodies as bioreceptors, which have a costly developmentprocess that requires animal facilities. Recently, sybodies emergedas a new alternative class of synthetic binders and receptors withhigh antigen binding efficiency, improved chemical stability, andlower production costs via animal-free methods. Their smaller sizeis an important asset to consider in combination with ultrasensitivefield-effect transistors (FETs) as transducers, which respond moreintensely when biorecognition occurs near their surface. This workdemonstrates the immobilization of sybodies against the spike proteinof the virus on silicon surfaces, which are often integral parts ofthe semiconducting channel of FETs. Immobilized sybodies maintainthe capability to capture antigens, even at low concentrations inthe femtomolar range, as observed by fluorescence microscopy. Finally,the first proof of concept of sybody-modified FET sensing is providedusing a nanoscopic silicon net as the sensitive area where the sybodiesare immobilized. The future development of further sybodies againstother biomarkers and their generalization in biosensors could be criticalto decrease the cost of biodetection platforms in future pandemics.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)40191–40200
Number of pages10
JournalACS applied materials & interfaces
Volume15
Issue number34
Publication statusPublished - 21 Aug 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

WOS 001052038900001
Scopus 85169292145
Mendeley 88e43a4a-75c8-38a2-bb72-a39188a54bbf
ORCID /0000-0002-3007-8840/work/142247152
ORCID /0000-0002-9899-1409/work/142249235

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Debye length, SARS-CoV-2 biosensor, Field-effecttransistor, Silicon nanowires, Sybody, silicon nanowires, field-effect transistor, sybody