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These Tiny Chips Can Spot Diseases Before You Feel Sick

Site-selective immobilization of different bioreceptors on individual field-effect transistors, achieved through the use of thermal scanning probe lithography. Each bioreceptor can be tuned to detect a different disease.

Site-selective immobilization of different bioreceptors on individual field-effect transistors, achieved through the use of thermal scanning probe lithography. Each bioreceptor can be tuned to detect a different disease.

A team of researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering has achieved a breakthrough in biosensor technology that could revolutionize how we detect diseases, from COVID-19 to influenza, using microchips smaller than a fingernail.

Published in Nanoscale | Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

In an era where health threats range from emerging viruses to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose diseases at home could save countless lives. NYU Tandon researchers have developed a revolutionary approach using field-effect transistors (FETs) – the same technology that powers our smartphones – to create ultra-sensitive disease detection devices.

“This study opens new horizons in the field of biosensing. Microchips, the backbone of smartphones, computers, and other smart devices, have transformed the way people communicate, entertain, and work. Similarly, today, our technology will allow microchips to revolutionize healthcare, from medical diagnostics, to environmental health,” says Professor Elisa Riedo, one of the study’s lead researchers.

The team’s innovation lies in their use of thermal scanning probe lithography (tSPL), a precision technique that allows them to modify individual transistors on a chip to detect different pathogens simultaneously. This level of precision – down to 20 nanometers – matches the size of transistors in today’s most advanced semiconductor chips.

The results are remarkable: these new biosensors can detect as few as 10 live SARS-CoV-2 virus particles per milliliter, while successfully distinguishing between different virus types, including influenza A. This sensitivity far exceeds current rapid testing capabilities.

The research has attracted attention from industry partners, including Mirimus, a Brooklyn-based biotechnology company, and LendLease, a multinational construction company. “This research shows off the power of the collaboration between industry and academia, and how it can change the face of modern medicine,” says Prem Premsrirut, President and CEO of Mirimus.

Looking ahead, this technology could lead to the development of wearable devices that continuously monitor for pathogens, or building-integrated sensors that detect biological threats in real-time.

Glossary

  • Field-effect transistor (FET): A miniature electronic device that can detect biological markers and convert them into digital signals, commonly used in modern electronics.
  • Thermal scanning probe lithography (tSPL): A nanofabrication technique that enables precise chemical patterning at extremely small scales.
  • Attomolar (aM): A unit of measurement representing an extremely low concentration – one quintillionth of a molar concentration.

Test Your Knowledge

What is the main advantage of using FET-based sensors over traditional chemical diagnostic tests?

FET-based sensors enable faster results, can test for multiple diseases simultaneously, and can immediately transmit data to healthcare providers.

How sensitive are the new biosensors in detecting SARS-CoV-2?

The biosensors can detect as few as 10 live virus particles per milliliter and 3 attomolar concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.

What role does thermal scanning probe lithography (tSPL) play in this technology?

tSPL enables precise chemical patterning of polymer-coated chips, allowing researchers to functionalize individual FETs with different bioreceptors at resolutions as fine as 20 nanometers.

How does the multiplexing capability of these FET sensors represent an advancement over previous biosensor technology?

The ability to modify individual transistors on the same chip to detect different pathogens overcomes previous limitations in parallel detection, enabling simultaneous testing for multiple diseases on a single device.

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