In Situ Detection of Chromogranin A Released from Living Neurons with a Single-Walled Carbon-Nanotube Field-Effect Transistor

The in situ detection of chromogranin A (CgA) released from living neurons with a single-walled carbon-nanotubes (SWCNT) field-effect transistors (FET) was analyzed. It was found that the chromogranin (CgA) released from the synaptic terminal of neurons can be detected in situ by CgA-Ab/SWCNT-FETs with high selectivity, sensitivity, and real time detection capability. This sensory technique showed promise in medical diagnosis and can further be applied to study the activity of individual neurons, which should open a new window to enlighten the neurophysiology in neuronal networks. Several one-dimensional semiconducting materials such as silicon nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and indium oxide nanowires have been applied as sensing elements to construct NT/NW-FETs for a variety of successful detections of proteins, nucleic acids, cancer markers, and viruses.