Investigating multiplexed biochemical signaling requires sensitive and specific detection at the time and length scales of function. We couple the molecular recognition properties of rationally designed, chemically synthesized nucleic acid sequences, aptamers, with direct signal detection via field-effect transistors (FETs). Aptamers can be designed for a range of target detection, signal transduction, response speed, and in vivo stability. Changes in biomolecular signaling molecule concentrations are monitored via optimized binding-induced aptamer conformation changes that are transduced into amplified electrical signals. For the small-molecule neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, aptamer FETs have limits of dection of 10 fM and retain their functionality in full ionic strength biological fluids including artificial cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue. In other applications, we are able to "listen in" on the interspecies communications of signaling in competing populations in the microbiome.

Nanobiosensor arrays for multiplexed measurements of the spatiotemporal dynamics of neurotransmitters and microbiome signalomics

254th National Meeting (2017)

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