Scalable nano-bioprobes with sub-cellular resolution for cell detection

Here we present a carbon nanotube based device to noninvasively and quickly detect mobile single cells with the potential to maintain a high degree of spatial resolution. The device utilizes standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technologies for fabrication, allowing it to be easily scalable (down to a few nanometers). Nanotubes are deposited using electrophoresis after fabrication in order to maintain CMOS compatibility. The devices are spaced by 6 μm which is the same size or smaller than a single cell. To demonstrate its capability to detect cells, we performed impedance spectroscopy on mobile human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells, neurons cells from mice, and yeast cells (S. pombe). Measurements were performed with and without cells and with and without nanotubes. Nanotubes were found to be crucial to successfully detect the presence of cells. The devices are also able to distinguish between cells with different characteristics.

► We have fabricated carbon nanotube bioprobes using a manufacturable technology.
► The process allows for scalability of the bioprobes (down to a few nanometers).
► Bioprobes can detect and distinguish between cells with different characteristics.
► The bioprobes are noninvasive.
► The bioprobes can potentially generate spatially resolved cell information.