Detection of viral proteins using human receptor functionalized carbon nanotubes

We present proof-of-concept experiments for developing a highly-sensitive and fast- response miniaturized single-walled carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (SWNT-FET) biosensor for electrically detecting adenovirus using ligand-receptor-protein specificity. SWNTs are mildly oxidized to form carboxylic groups on the surfaces without compromising the electronic integrity of the nanotubes. Then the human coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) is covalently functionalized onto the nanotube surface via diimide-activated amidation process. Upon exposure of the device to adenovirus protein, Ad12 Knob (Knob), specific binding of Knob to CAR decreases the current that flows through the SWNT-FET device. For control experiment, the CAR-SWNT device is exposed to YieF, which is a virus protein that does not bind specifically to CAR, and no current change is observed. The biological activity of the CAR and Knob proteins that are immobilized on SWNTs has been confirmed by previous fluorescence studies [1]. AFM analysis is done to show height increase of a few nanometers at specific spots where the CAR-Knob complex are covalently linked to the nanotube surface. Therefore, our results show that the human receptor protein CAR does immobilize on SWNT surface while fully retains its biological activity. Moreover, the specific binding of CAR to its complementary adenovirus Knob can be electrically detected using individual SWNT-FET devices. These findings suggest that CAR-functionalized SWNT-FETs can ably serve as biosensors for detection of environmental adenoviruses.