Due to their ultra-high sensitivity, solution-gated graphene-based field-effect transistors (SG-GFET) have been proposed for applications in bio-sensing. However, challenges regarding the functionalization of GFETs have prevented their applications in clinical diagnostics so far. Here GFET sensors based on van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures of single-layer graphene layered with a molecular ≈1 nm thick carbon nanomembrane (CNM) are presented. The CNM acts as an ultrathin molecular interposer between the graphene channel and the analyte and allows bio-functionalization without impairing the graphene properties including its charge carrier mobility. To achieve specificity and reliability in the detection of biomarkers in real patient samples, the functionalization incorporates biostable aptamers in the non-natural l-configuration and hydrophilic polyethylene glycol for avoiding non-specific adsorption. A rapid (≈5 min) detection of the clinically relevant inflammatory mediator CXCL8/IL-8 within the concentration range of 0.5 – 500 pM (5 – 5000 pg ml⁻¹) is demonstrated in nasal swab samples collected from patients with respiratory tract infections. This detection range may aid in diagnostics of early-stage infectious diseases making the reported approach promising for the development of future medical tools.

中文翻译：

---

使用基于石墨烯的场效应晶体管对临床样品中的趋化因子进行超灵敏检测


由于其超高灵敏度，基于溶液门控石墨烯的场效应晶体管 （SG-GFET） 已被提议用于生物传感。然而，迄今为止，有关 GFET 功能化的挑战阻碍了它们在临床诊断中的应用。本文介绍了基于单层石墨烯的范德华 （vdW） 异质结构的 GFET 传感器，该异质结构与分子 ≈1 nm 厚的碳纳米膜 （CNM） 分层。CNM 充当石墨烯通道和分析物之间的超薄分子中介层，允许在不损害石墨烯特性（包括其电荷载流子迁移率）的情况下实现生物功能化。为了实现真实患者样本中生物标志物检测的特异性和可靠性，功能化在非天然 L 型中加入了生物稳定的适配体和亲水性聚乙二醇，以避免非特异性吸附。在从呼吸道感染患者收集的鼻拭子样本中，证明了在 0.5 – 500 pM （5 – 5000 pg ^ml-1） 的浓度范围内快速（≈5 分钟）检测临床相关的炎症介质 CXCL8/IL-8。这个检测范围可能有助于诊断早期传染病，使所报道的方法为未来医疗工具的开发带来希望。