Carbon Nanomaterial Field-Effect Transistor Biosensors and DNA-Based Biointerface Engineering

The emerging carbon nanomaterial-based field-effect transistor (FET) biosensing technologies promise bridging the performance gap between experiments and applications in the field of point-of-care testing (POCT) due to the advantages of ultrahigh sensitivity, fast, label-free detection, and potential for integration. The specific recognition and signal transduction of these sensors are achieved by a biomolecular interface layer at the solid-liquid interface, in which the arrangement and controllable assembly of this layer are crucial for developing the sensor potential. DNA nanotechnology represents a highly programmable approach to design the biosensing interfaces that enables precisely controlling the orientation, molecular conformation, and density of surface-confined biomolecular probes at the nanoscale. In this review, we focus on using designed DNA nanostructures as bioprobes or linker molecules in combination with carbon-based FET biosensors to achieve highly sensitive detection. Specifically, we introduce the structure and principle of carbon-based FET sensors and advantages of using DNA nanostructures for interface engineering and then outline representative DNA nanostructures for biosensing probes classified according to assembly dimensions. We further summarize the latest progress of using DNA nanostructure engineered carbon-based FET biosensors in virus, biomarker, and SNP detection. Most importantly, we have thoroughly analyzed and summarized the challenges encountered in the practical promotion of FET biosensors and have drawn a technology developing roadmap. This review is expected to provide some rational design principles and inspire additional techniques to enhance the performance of carbon-based FET biosensors, thereby promoting carbon-based FET biosensors in early diagnosis and POCT applications.