Flexible FET-type VEGF aptasensor based on nitrogen-doped graphene converted from conducting polymer.
Graphene-based field-effect transistors (FETs) have been developed rapidly and are currently considered as an alternative for postsilicon electronics. In this study, polypyrrole-converted nitrogen-doped few-layer graphene (PPy-NDFLG) was grown on Cu substrate by chemical vapor deposition combined with vapor deposition polymerization and then transferred onto a flexible substrate. Furthermore, antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) RNA aptamer conjugated PPy-NDFLG was integrated into a liquid-ion gated FET geometry to fabricate a high-performance VEGF aptamer-based sensor. Field-induced high sensitivity was observed for the analyte-binding events, eventually leading to the recognition of the target molecules at an unprecedentedly low concentration (100 fM). Additionally, the aptasensor had excellent reusability, mechanical bendability, and durability in the flexible process. The developed methodology describes, for the first time, the fabrication of N-doped graphene using conducting polymers including heteroatoms in their structures as the carbonization precursor and demonstrates its use in a high-performance, flexible FET-type aptasensor to detect vascular endothelial growth factor as a cancer biomarker.
World Class University Program of Chemical Convergence for Energy & Environment, School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
Oh Seok
OS
Kwon
Seon Joo
SJ
Park
Jin-Yong
JY
Hong
A-Reum
AR
Han
Jun Seop
JS
Lee
James S
JS
Lee
Joon Hak
JH
Oh
Jyongsik
J
Jang
D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000737:chemistry*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006108:Graphite / Q000032:analysis*; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000737:chemistry*; D014173:Transistors, Electronic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis*
D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011108:Polymers; D011758:Pyrroles; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C067635:polypyrrole; D006108:Graphite; D009584:Nitrogen