Cellular Nano-Transistor: An Electronic-Interface between Nanoscale Semiconductors and Biological Cells

A biocellular transistor transduces the biochemical activity of an interfaced cell into an electrical signal. Interfacial coupling of microcellular species with semiconducting nanomaterials in a cellular nano-transistor enables the confinement of transduced charge-carriers to one or two dimensions and at the bio/nano-interface, resulting in a highly sensitive change in carrier density. In contrast, conventional semiconductors allow carrier-flow in all three dimensions due to the lack of confinement, despite the sensitivity reducing away from the interface. Further, the semiconducting nanomaterials offer a large surface area, which enables compatible interface with microscale cells. This review presents the recent developments in cellular nano-transistors, their constructs, the cellular function and types, applicable nanoscale semiconductors, the interaction at the cell/nanomaterial interface, and the overall signal transduction mechanism. With millions of biological cells each having their own distinct functionalities, such as cellular response to chemicals, light, temperature, mechanical stress, electric stimuli; and enzymatic production of electrons; and numerous semiconducting nanomaterials to form interfaces with, the development of biocellular nano-transistors are set to evolve into an explosion of multifunctional devices, revolutionizing the field of bio-electronics