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Biosensors
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Transistor-Based Biosensors and Their Applications
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Transistor-Based Biosensors and Their Applications

A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensor and Bioelectronic Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 1974

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sheng-Chun Hung

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Electrical Engineering, Feng Chia University, Taichung City 407102, Taiwan
Interests: FET-based biosensors; extended-gate transistors; electric double-layer sensing; nanomaterials for signal enhancement; aptamer-functionalized interfaces; portable diagnostics; wearable biosensing platforms; precision agriculture applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Transistor-based biosensors have emerged as a transformative platform in modern bioanalytical technology, thanks to their remarkable sensitivity, label-free detection, real-time response, and compatibility with portable and wearable electronics. By harnessing the intrinsic amplification capabilities of field-effect transistors (FETs), these biosensors effectively translate molecular binding events into measurable electrical signals with high precision.

Recent advancements in device architecture—including extended-gate FETs, electrolyte-gated FETs, and electric double-layer transistors—have greatly enhanced the detection capabilities of these systems, enabling the identification of ions, proteins, nucleic acids, exosomes, and small molecules. Additionally, innovations in nanomaterials, 2D materials, and hybrid structures, combined with advanced biofunctionalization strategies, have improved selectivity, stability, and scalability. Their integration with microfluidics, wireless communication modules, and AI-driven analytics further facilitates their application in next-generation point-of-care diagnostics.

This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in the design, fabrication, characterization, and application of transistor-based biosensors across various fields, including medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, food safety, wearable health systems, and precision agriculture. We invite original research articles and comprehensive reviews that focus on innovative device configurations, novel materials, biomolecular sensing mechanisms, and the real-world deployment of these systems.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. The application of novel transistor architectures in biosensing.
  2. The design and utilization of electric double-layer transistors (EDLTs) and electrolyte-gated field-effect transistors (EGFETs).
  3. The use of advanced nanomaterials and two-dimensional materials to enhance signal detection in transistor biosensors.
  4. Label-free detection strategies for biomolecular sensing utilizing transistor-based platforms.
  5. The development and implementation of portable and point-of-care diagnostic systems based on transistor technology.
  6. The integration of transistor biosensors with flexible electronics and wearable devices.
  7. The application of field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors for detecting disease markers and monitoring drug levels.
  8. FET-based sensors for the detection of environmental toxins and pollutants.
  9. The role of transistor biosensors in ensuring food safety and quality control.
  10. Applications of transistor biosensors in precision agriculture, such as assessing soil nutrients, monitoring pesticides, and evaluating crop health.
  11. System-level integration of transistor biosensing systems, incorporating microfluidics, wireless readout capabilities, and artificial intelligence analytics.

We look forward to your contributions to this Special Issue and to collectively advancing the field of biosensing.

Dr. Sheng-Chun Hung
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biosensors is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • transistor-based biosensors
  • electric double-layer transistors
  • extended-gate FETs
  • nanomaterials
  • label-free detection
  • point-of-care diagnostics
  • wearable biosensors
  • aptamer-based sensors
  • environmental monitoring
  • precision agriculture sensors

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 3883 KB  
Article
Interaction of Organic Semiconductors and Graphene Materials in the Source-Drain Channel of Field-Effect Transistors
by Eugen Chiriac, Bianca Adiaconita, Tiberiu Burinaru, Catalin Marculescu, Marius Stoian, Catalin Parvulescu and Marioara Avram
Biosensors 2025, 15(9), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15090622 - 19 Sep 2025
Viewed by 553
Abstract
This study investigates the interfacial interactions between two organic semiconductors (tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and hexaazatriphenylene-hexacarbonitrile (HAT-CN)) and graphene-based materials (nanocrystalline graphite and vertically aligned graphene) used in Field-Effect Transistors (FETs). The interaction mechanisms, including π–π stacking, charge transfer, and dipole–dipole interactions, were explored through [...] Read more.
This study investigates the interfacial interactions between two organic semiconductors (tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and hexaazatriphenylene-hexacarbonitrile (HAT-CN)) and graphene-based materials (nanocrystalline graphite and vertically aligned graphene) used in Field-Effect Transistors (FETs). The interaction mechanisms, including π–π stacking, charge transfer, and dipole–dipole interactions, were explored through SEM imaging, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, and FET transfer characteristics. Spectroscopic data confirmed strong π–π and charge-transfer interactions, with distinct modifications in graphene structural and electronic features. Electrical measurements revealed significant modulation of channel conductivity, confirming effective surface functionalization. These findings provide a framework for engineering high-performance organic/graphene hybrid interfaces in electronic devices and biosensors. Importantly, the results demonstrate that molecular design and interfacial control at the nanoscale can be strategically used to modulate charge transport in graphene-based FETs. This approach opens new pathways for developing tunable, molecule-specific biosensors and nanoelectronic platforms with enhanced sensitivity and selectivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transistor-Based Biosensors and Their Applications)
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20 pages, 3511 KB  
Communication
An Aptamer-Based gFET-Sensor for Specific Quantification of Gene Therapeutic Human Adenovirus Type 5
by Runliu Li, Ann-Kathrin Kissmann, Hu Xing, Roger Hasler, Christoph Kleber, Wolfgang Knoll, Hannes Schmietendorf, Tatjana Engler, Lea Krutzke, Stefan Kochanek and Frank Rosenau
Biosensors 2025, 15(9), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15090605 - 14 Sep 2025
Viewed by 780
Abstract
The combination of rGO-FETs (reduced Graphene Oxide Field-Effect Transistors) and DNA-oligonucleotide aptamers to sense analytes has been shown to be a promising technological approach, achieving high sensitivity and selectivity. With human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV-5) particles as the target, we here demonstrate the [...] Read more.
The combination of rGO-FETs (reduced Graphene Oxide Field-Effect Transistors) and DNA-oligonucleotide aptamers to sense analytes has been shown to be a promising technological approach, achieving high sensitivity and selectivity. With human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV-5) particles as the target, we here demonstrate the application of the aptamer/FET combination for detection of this medically and biotechnologically relevant viral vector. A focused anti-HAdV-5 aptamer library was evolved in a nine-round SELEX process, allowing for the specific fluorescent labeling of HAdV-5 and related subtypes. Moreover, this library was already sufficient to serve as the binding entity on a gFET sensor for sensitive quantification of the virus particles. Adenoviruses have been widely used as gene delivery vectors for gene therapy and genetic vaccination. The use of adenoviral vectors within the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 emphasized the need for robust biotechnological production processes, which additionally require sensitive product formation monitoring. We believe that these type of gFET-based aptasensors can serve as the technological monitoring basis in virus production processes in the near future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transistor-Based Biosensors and Their Applications)
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11 pages, 2701 KB  
Article
Simulation-Based Performance Assessment of Bulk Junctionless FET with Asymmetric Source/Drain for Ultrasensitive Detection of Biomolecules
by Jeongmin Son, M. Meyyappan and Kihyun Kim
Biosensors 2025, 15(9), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15090597 - 10 Sep 2025
Viewed by 428
Abstract
Bio field-effect transistors (BioFETs) have attracted attention for their ability to rapidly detect physiological data with a simple structure. While conventional BioFETs offer high sensitivity, they often require reference electrodes or involve complex fabrication processes. A recently proposed bulk junctionless BioFET (Bulk JL-BioFET) [...] Read more.
Bio field-effect transistors (BioFETs) have attracted attention for their ability to rapidly detect physiological data with a simple structure. While conventional BioFETs offer high sensitivity, they often require reference electrodes or involve complex fabrication processes. A recently proposed bulk junctionless BioFET (Bulk JL-BioFET) features a simple fabrication process to address these issues. This structure utilizes a depletion region formed by a p-n junction, as the active layer is directly in contact with a substrate of the opposite type. As a result, the device can operate effectively with only two terminals—drain and source—without the need for a reference electrode. In this study, we propose a novel Bulk JL-BioFET, incorporating a doped field stop layer and an asymmetric source/drain structure, and verify its performance through simulations. The doped field stop layer blocks the electric field expansion, enhancing channel modulation, while the asymmetric source/drain structure promotes electron injection, reducing the on-off swing voltage and turn-on voltage. This improves the electrical performance, enabling lower power consumption and higher sensitivity. Simulation results show that the combination of these two novel features results in a sensitivity increase of approximately 30-fold. Moreover, high sensitivity was observed below the turn-on voltage region for all the structures when analyzing the sensitivity with overdrive voltage, identifying the optimal operating conditions. This study suggests that the combination of the doped field stop layer and asymmetric source/drain structure is an effective design strategy to maximize the sensing performance of BioFETs while minimizing power consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transistor-Based Biosensors and Their Applications)
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