NANOIOBIP

The NANOIOBIP CRP aims at developing a nano-biosensor system for the diagnosis of crop diseases. The devices consist of either an array of insect odorant-binding proteins or, alternatively, pheromone binding proteins - modified conductive polymer nanofibers placed on inter-digitated microelectrodes array of a liquid ion-gate Field Effect Transistor (LIGFET) or of an array for organic field-effect transistors (OFET) with a protective coating.
Specific binding of odor molecules generate conformational changes that affect the source-drain current of the transistors. This effect combined with the conductive polymers inherent charge transport properties yield a direct and label-free readout. The best nano-biosensor system prototype is expected to achieve limits of detection down to the femto molar range or even better, with a low-cost, reliable operation. Other potential applications include the detection of odor molecules for healthcare or defense.

Specific goals of this CRP include:

• Determination of selectivity/specificity of insect olfactory cells toward odor molecule using whole insect antennae-based microbiosensors
  
• Micro-fabrication of several prototypes of LIGFETs and OFETs as microelectronic readout devices
• Synthesis of conductive polymer nanofibers and semiconducting nanowires using the template method
• Functionalization of nanostructures with odorant- or pheromone- binding proteins resulting in arrays of nanobiosensors
• Testing of nano-biosensor systems with odorants as analytes and comparison with antennae-based microbiosensors