A label-free biosensor based on organic transistors by using the interaction of mercapto DNA and gold electrodes

Organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) with Au electrodes were successfully used as transducers for label-free deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sensors. Single-strand DNA (ssDNA), perfectly-matched double-strand DNA (dsDNA) and mis-matched DNA were immobilized on the surface of the source/drain electrodes of three OTFT devices respectively. The ssDNA molecules with mercapto group (–SH) can be well immobilized on the surface of Au electrode by chemical bond between –SH and Au atom. According to the significant difference in channel current, which was attributed to the changed contact resistances by introducing different DNA molecules on Au electrode, ssDNA, matched-dsDNA and mismatched-dsDNA were differentiated successfully in the experiments. The results may provide a promising approach for detecting DNA specificity and hybridization with label-free.