Genetically modified organism (GMO) detection by biosensor based on SWCNT material

• A single-walled carbon nanotube-based biosensor for genetically modified organism detection was developed.
• Detection limit as low as 1 nM.
• The sensitivity of the SWCNT-FET-based biosensor is 0.32 nA/nM.
• The polymerase chain reaction-amplified samples were determined by biosensors.

This paper reports single-walled carbon nanotube-based biosensors for genetically modified organism (GMO) detection. Electrochemical electrode and single-walled carbon nanotube field effect transistor (SWCNT-FET)-based biosensors are used to determine the CaMV 35S promoter of Roundup Ready soybean. Given optimal conditions, both biosensors can effectively detect full complementarity with concentration as low as 1 nM. The sensitivity of the electrode-based biosensor is approximately 0.6 kΩ/nM while that of the SWCNT-FET-based biosensor is 0.32 nA/nM. Both biosensors were also used to determine a polymerase chain reaction-amplified sample. The obtained results showed that both sensors determined transgenic organisms well, thereby providing a useful tool for screening analysis of food samples.

Schematic diagram of device: (a) optical image of microelectrode on wafer, (b) single sensor was separated from wafer, (c) magnification of microelectrode sensor, (d) Cartoon of CNTFET device, (e) FE-SEM image of CNTs on surface of FET.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide