STEP 1

Exploration of SWCNT for investigating surface-protein and protein-protein binding and developing highly specic electronic bio-molecule detectors
Non-Specific binding of proteins onto CNT Globular protein adsorption onto a CNT AFM image showing protein (bright dot-like) non-specically adsorbed on a NT

QCM data (frequency shift vs. time t) revealing NSB of SA onto NT at increasing protein concentrations. NSB is irreversible upon rinsing

STEP 2
Developing a Non-covalent Nanotube Functionalization Scheme for Protein Resistance (preventing protein NSB)

Schematic of a monolayer of Tween 20 anchored on a nanotube

QCM data showing the absence ofmass uptake and thus no NSB of various proteins onto a lmof Tween-coated nanotubes

AFM image showing the absence of adsorbed proteins on a Tween-coated nanotube

STEP 3
Selective Biological Recognition on Nanotube Devices
Tween-and P103-coated SWNTs show excellent resistance to NSB of various proteins Next objective is to re-enable binding to selected targets in solution

Selective recognition with SA-biotin pair

Scheme for SA recognition with a nanotube coated with biotinylated Tween.

QCM frequency shift vs. time curve showing that a lmof nanotubes coatedwith biotinylated Tween binds SA specically but not other proteins

Conductance vs. time curve of a device during exposure to various protein solutions. Specic binding of SA is detected electronically

Biosensors for potential medical diagnostic and biological applications U1A RNA splicing factor : Auto-antigen target in systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease Detection of auto-antibodies directed against this protein forms basis of clinical assay Typically carried out by fluorescence-based technique ELISA (labeling steps required to

visualize binding)
With Nanotube sensors can be monitored electronically without labeling

Scheme for specic recognition of 10E3 mAb with a nanotube device coated with a U1A antigenTween conjugate

QCM frequency shift vs. time curve showing selective detection of 10E3 while showing rejection of the antibody 6E3

Outcomes
SWNT based Biosensors capable of selective detection of proteins in solution Two important directions of study

Utilization of nanotubes in detecting serum proteins, including disease markers, autoantibodies, and anti-bodies

Synthesis and fabrication of high-density nanotube device microarrays for proteomics applications by using purely electrical transducers. No labeling required All aspects of assay carried out in solution phase

Interfacing novel nanomaterials with biological systems could lead to important applications : Disease diagnosis, proteomics, and nanobiotechnology