Functional Biomembranes for Transistor-Based Chemical and Biological Sensing

Abstract Transistor-based platforms offer several advantages for chemical and biological sensing application over conventional electrochemical systems, including enhanced sensitivity, portability, cost-effectiveness, and biocompatibility. However, these devices often require functionalization with specific recognition units, introducing challenges related to the chemical stability of conjugated units, their conformation, and Debye length effects. Lipid-based biomembranes, particularly supported lipid bilayers (SLBs), can mimic the native architecture of cell membranes, acting as biointerfaces that facilitate signal transduction between extra- and intracellular environments. They also provide selective permeability to ions, specificity to biochemicals, as well as ease of integration with diverse materials. Over the past two decades, researchers have focused on integrating biomembranes with transistor platforms to advance bioelectronic sensing technologies and enhance the understanding and monitoring of biological processes. This review explores integrating various lipid-based biomembrane types with transistor-based devices. We review fundamental techniques for producing and characterizing biomembranes, the advantages and limitations of different transistor types, and their working principles in biomembrane-based systems. Additionally, we highlight recent developments in biomembrane-integrated sensing platforms, including their incorporation into transistor architectures, further functionalization with biorecognition units, and applications in detecting analytes.