Submillimolar Detection of Adenosine Monophosphate Using Graphene-Based Electrochemical Aptasensor

Abstract

In this paper, we present a successful demonstration of a graphene-based field-effect-transistor-like electrochemical nanobiosensor to accurately detect ultralow concentrations of adenosine monophosphate (AMP). Graphene being a two-dimensional material is a suitable option as a sensing element due to its biocompatibility and large surface area. It has also demonstrated surface binding chemistries as well as its ability to serve as a conducting channel. A short 20-base deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) aptamer is used as the sensing element to ensure that the interaction between the analyte and the aptamer occurs within the Debye length of the electrolyte. The sensor is found to be nonlinear in nature and sensitive in the picomolar (pM) and nanomolar (nM) concentrations of AMP. The linear region of operation is found to be 1 nM-100 μM and percentage change in drain current in this concentration region is calculated as 1.56%/decade. A minimum concentration of 10 pM of AMP has been detected using this type of sensor.