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A biosensor that uses ion-channel switches

Nature volume 387, pages 580–583 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

Biosensors are molecular sensors that combine a biological recognition mechanism with a physical transduction technique. They provide a new class of inexpensive, portable instrument that permit sophisticated analytical measurements to be undertaken rapidly at decentralized locations1. However, the adoption of biosensors for practical applications other than the measurement of blood glucose is currently limited by the expense, insensitivity and inflexibility of the available transduction methods. Here we describe the development of a biosensing technique in which the conductance of a population of molecular ion channels is switched by the recognition event. The approach mimics biological sensory functions2,3 and can be used with most types of receptor, including antibodies and nucleotides. The technique is very flexible and even in its simplest form it is sensitive to picomolar concentrations of proteins. The sensor is essentially an impedance element whose dimensions can readily be reduced to become an integral component of a microelectronic circuit. It may be used in a wide range of applications and in complex media, including blood. These uses might include cell typing, the detection of large proteins, viruses, antibodies, DNA, electrolytes, drugs, pesticides and other low-molecular-weight compounds.

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Figure 1: Schematic ion-channel switch (ICS) biosensor.
Figure 2: Components used in the ICS biosensor assembly.
Figure 3: Response of ICS biosensor to TSH.
Figure 4: Response to digoxin.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Australian Industrial Research & Development Board and the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) program. The partner organisations within the CRC for Molecular Engineering & Technology are the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation, the University of Sydney and the Australian Membrane & Biotechnology Research Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Co-operative Research Centre for Molecular Engineering & Technology, 126 Greville Street, Chatswood, 2067, NSW, Australia

    B. A. Cornell, V. L. B. Braach-Maksvytis, L. G. King, P. D. J. Osman, B. Raguse & L. Wieczorek

  2. *Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    R. J. Pace

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  1. B. A. Cornell
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  2. V. L. B. Braach-Maksvytis
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Correspondence to B. A. Cornell.

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Cornell, B., Braach-Maksvytis, V., King, L. et al. A biosensor that uses ion-channel switches. Nature 387, 580–583 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/42432

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