Detection of Immunoglobulin E with a Graphene-Based Field-Effect Transistor Aptasensor

DNA aptamers have the ability to bind to target molecules with high selectivity and therefore have a wide range of clinical applications. Herein, a graphene substrate functionalized with a DNA aptamer is used to sense immunoglobulin E. The graphene serves as the conductive substrate in this field-effect-transistor-like (FET-like) structure. A voltage probe in an electrolyte is used to sense the presence of IgE as a result of the changes in the charge distribution that occur when an IgE molecule binds to the IgE DNA-based aptamer. Because IgE is an antibody associated with allergic reactions and immune deficiency-related diseases, its detection is of utmost importance for biomedical applications.