Organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs) can amplify signals by translating changes in ionic doping to an electronic current and thus have the potential to build intimate connections between materials and biological environments. For example, these polymers can be used in biochemical sensors that incorporate a selective recognition element to detect the binding events of a specific target analyte through downstream changes in ionic current. A novel strategy of biosensor design leverages transmembrane proteins found in cell membranes to create devices with the same sensing mechanism as living cells. OMIECs are particularly well-poised to advance these bio-inspired sensors because of their low impedance, high biocompatibility, and ability to softly cushion fluid lipid membranes. The resulting sensors therefore use advances in polymer science, bioelectronics, and synthetic biology to both mimic and interface with biology. However, the integration of membranes with OMIECs requires substantial optimization in the areas of polymer chemistry, device fabrication, membrane composition, and protein selection. Lipid bilayers were formed on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) polymerized with different methods and dopants to explore the dependence of membrane properties on sensor design through techniques such as confocal microscopy and electrical characterization. Importantly, supported lipid bilayers on OMIECs were demonstrated to form high integrity barriers with strong electrical sealing on conducting polymer-coated electrodes and organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). A variety of complex transmembrane proteins, such as gated ion channels, exhibited functional sensing activity and were subsequently employed to create tunable devices selective to biomolecules and biological stimuli. This work represents significant progress toward realizing the full potential of organic mixed conductors as biological interfaces and establishing these bio-inspired sensors as an exciting new platform with unique translational promise.

Bio-inspired sensor design via membrane-functionalized organic mixed conductors

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.