Olfactory Receptor-Functionalized Transistors for Biosensor Sensitivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bioelectronic noses lack specificity and sensitivity in detecting odorants due to the difficulty in integrating olfactory receptors, which are G protein-coupled receptors, with nanostructure transistors like single-walled carbon nanotube-field effect transistors (swCNT-FETs), as they require lipid membranes for functionality.

Innovation Solution

A transistor is developed with a nanostructure between source and drain electrodes, covered by a lipid membrane containing olfactory receptor proteins, allowing for the detection of odorants by measuring conductance modulation when odorants bind to the receptors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If olfactory receptors are integrated with nanostructure transistors to create bioelectronic noses, then detection sensitivity and selectivity are improved, but device complexity increases due to the requirement of lipid membranes for receptor functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds olfactory receptors within lipid membranes that are integrated onto the nanostructure transistor surface. The lipid membrane containing functional olfactory receptors is formed to cover the nanostructure, creating a nested structure where the receptor-protein complex is housed within the membrane, which in turn is integrated with the transistor. This nesting approach allows the complex biological component to be contained and functionalized within the engineered device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The lipid membrane serves as an intermediary layer between the olfactory receptor proteins and the nanostructure transistor surface. This intermediate membrane structure allows the receptors to maintain their natural functionality while being integrated with the solid-state transistor, facilitating signal transduction from the biological receptor to the electronic device without direct contact between the protein and the nanostructure surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If lipid membranes containing functional olfactory receptors are formed on nanostructure transistors, then odorant detection capability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to the difficulty of forming functional lipid membrane structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodorant detection capabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary action by first forming the lipid membrane structure on the nanostructure transistor before integrating the olfactory receptors. The lipid membrane is pre-formed to cover the nanostructure surface, creating a ready-made functional platform that can subsequently receive and incorporate the olfactory receptor proteins. This sequence of operations simplifies the overall manufacturing process compared to attempting to directly attach receptors to the nanostructure surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables highly selective and sensitive detection of odorants with femtomolar sensitivity, suitable for applications in anti-bioterrorism, disease diagnostics, and food safety, and allows for real-time monitoring of GPCR operations, enhancing the capabilities of bioelectronic noses.

Implementation Method 1

when the odorants bind to the olfactory receptors as described above, the receptors are activated. The activated olfactory receptors are the initial player in a signal transduction cascade which ultimately produces a nerve impulse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal transduction:

Implementation Method 2

a lipid membrane having an olfactory receptor protein which is formed to cover surfaces of the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the nanostructure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLipid membrane formation:

Data Source

PatentUS8377706B2Olfactory receptor-functionalized transistors for highly selective bioelectronic nose and biosensor using the same

Publication Date: 2013.02.19 SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION

AI summary

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transistor including: a substrate; a source electrode and a drain electrode formed being spaced apart from each other on the substrate; a nanostructure electrically contacted with and formed between the source electrode and the drain electrode; and a lipid membrane having an olfactory receptor protein which is formed to cover surfaces of the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the nanostructure. The olfactory receptor-functionalized transistor in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is useful for a bioelectronic nose which can detect odorants highly specifically with femtomolar sensitivity, and may be applied in various fields requiring the rapid detection of specific odorants, for example, anti-bioterrorism, disease diagnostics, and food safety.