Devices and methods for the rapid and accurate detection of analytes

Abstract

Disclosed are field effect transistor-based (FET-based) sensors for the rapid and accurate detection of analytes both in vivo and in vitro. The FET-based sensors can include a substrate, a channel disposed on the substrate, a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to the channel, and a recognition element for an analyte of interest immobilized on the surface of the channel via a linking group. The distance between the recognition element and the channel can be configured such that association of the analyte of interest with the recognition element induces a change in the electrical properties of the channel. In this way, an analyte of interest can be detected by measuring a change in an electrical property of the channel. Also provided are devices, including probes and multi-well plates, incorporating the FET-based sensors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sensor comprising:
 a) a substrate;   b) a channel disposed on the substrate, wherein the channel is substantially impermeable to ions under physiological conditions;   c) a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to the channel, wherein the source electrode and the drain electrode are formed to be separate such that the channel forms a path for current flow between the source electrode and the drain electrode; and   d) a recognition element for an analyte of interest immobilized on the surface of the channel;   wherein the distance between the recognition element and the channel is configured such that association of the analyte of interest with the recognition element induces a change in the electrical properties of the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of Si, SiC, Al 2 O 3 , Group III-nitrides, ZnO, MgZnO, glass, diamond, and combinations thereof 
     
     
         3 . The sensor of  claim 2 , wherein the channel comprises a Group III-nitride heterojunction,
 wherein the Group III-nitride heterojunction comprises a first Group III-nitride layer and a second Group III-nitride layer, and   wherein the first Group III-nitride layer and the second Group III-nitride layer have different bandgaps, such that a two-dimensional electron gas is generated inside the Group III-nitride heterojunction.   
     
     
         4 . The sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the first Group III-nitride layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of GaN, InN, InGaN, AlGaN, and combinations thereof, and the second Group III-nitride layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of AlGaN, AN, InAlN, GaN, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor of  claim 4 , wherein the first Group III-nitride layer comprises GaN and the second Group III-nitride body comprises AlGaN. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor of  claim 5 , wherein the recognition element is immobilized on the surface of the channel via a linking group. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor of  claim 6 , wherein the linking group is selected such that the distance between the recognition element and the surface of the channel is less than about 10 nm. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor of  claim 7 , wherein the linking group comprises a polyvalent linking group. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor of  claim 7 , wherein the linking group comprises a monovalent linking group. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor of  claim 9 , wherein the recognition element is selected from the group consisting of antibodies, antibody fragments, peptides, oligonucleotides, DNA, RNA, aptamers, and organic molecules. 
     
     
         11 . A method for detecting an analyte of interest comprising:
 a) contacting the analyte of interest with a sensor defined by  claim 1 ,   wherein the sensor comprises a recognition element that selectively associates with the analyte of interest.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising measuring a change in an electrical property of the channel to determine a presence of the analyte of interest, to determine the concentration of the analyte of interest, or a combination thereof,
 wherein the change in electrical property comprises a change in current flow, a change in voltage, a change in impedance, or combinations thereof   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the analyte of interest comprises a biomarker for a disease process in a patient. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the analyte of interest comprises a macromolecule. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the analyte of interest is selected from the group consisting of antibodies, proteins, polynucleotides, lipids, polysaccharides, pathogens, and combinations thereof 
     
     
         16 . A probe for detecting an analyte of interest, the probe comprising:
 a) an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; and   b) one or more sensors defined by  claim 1  positioned at the distal end of the elongate member,   wherein the one or more sensors comprise recognition elements that selectively associate with the analyte of interest.   
     
     
         17 . The probe of  claim 16 , further comprising one or more additional sensors defined by  claim 1  positioned along the length of the elongate member between the proximal end and the distal end,
 wherein the one or more additional sensors are positioned at known intervals along the length of the elongate member. 
 
     
     
         18 . The probe of  claim 17 , wherein a plurality of the sensors defined by  claim 1  are positioned radially around the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. 
     
     
         19 . A method for monitoring a graft recipient for a rejection response, the method comprising contacting the graft or fluid adjacent to the graft in situ with the probe defined by  claim 16 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise recognition elements that selectively associate with a biomarker for graft rejection. 
     
     
         20 . A multi-well plate comprising:
 a) a base comprising a first material having a substantially co-planar top and bottom surface;   b) a plurality of microwells disposed in the base, wherein each microwell comprises a solid bottom proximal to the bottom surface of the base, one or more solid side walls, and an opening located on the top surface of the base; and   c) a sensor defined by  claim 1  positioned within one or more of the plurality of microwells, and configured such that the recognition element of the sensor is in contact with the contents of the microwell in which it is positioned.