Protein-Nanotube Sensing Devices: Site-Specific Coupling for the Detection of Active Antimicrobial Resistance Components

A central challenge in nanobiotechnology is the bottom-up assembly of platforms capable of monitoring and exploiting biomolecular interactions with nanoscale control; this in turn can allow the development of novel bioelectronics interfaces. In this regard, electrical detection methodologies, using nanomaterials, are one of the most promising candidates for biosensing investigations: they can be effectively merged with miniaturised hardware, offer simplicity, low-cost, portability, ultrahigh sensitivity, selectivity, and (label-free) real-time electrical detection We will present the fabrication of bioelectronic devices for the development of real-time biosensors with engineered protein interfacing. In particular, we assembled b-lactamase (BL) inhibitory proteins (BLIPs) onto SWCNT sidewalls in electronic device configurations, with controlled protein orientation. This allowed us to control the local electrostatic surface presented within the Debye length (see Figure), and thus modulate the conductance gating effect upon sensing protein targets. We recorded the current responses in real-time for the detection of a range of concentrations of a class BL enzymes, that degrade antibiotics, in the context of investigating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The strategy presented here is of general applicability for the control and detection of protein-protein interactions in nanoscale device configurations, through electrostatic surface profiling; moreover, it may open up new opportunities for the development of AMR-related diagnostic devices. Figure 1