Protein nanopore-gated bio-transistor for membrane ionic current recording

Here we show direct interrogation of the dynamical opening and closing of ion channel pores with an integrated nano-bio system in a controlled microfluidic environment. Randomly oriented semiconducting CNT network transistors are covered by biomembranes (lipid bilayers) incorporated with transmembrane proteins (ion channels). This forms a robust and direct probe of ion channel currents with millisecond temporal resolution and sub-pico amp current resolution. The effect of both biomembranes and ionic current through transmembrane proteins on the electrical characteristic of transistors has been evaluated. We also demonstrate for the first time electrophysiological recording of single ion channel events from individual ion pores using our CNT transistors. The device developed here could offer a nano electrophysiology system to study interactions between biomolecules and bionanoelectronics and bioelectrical activities of the cellular membrane.