Recent progress in silicon-based biologically sensitive field-effect devices

Biologically sensitive field-effect devices (BioFEDs) advantageously combine the electronic field-effect functionality with the (bio)chemical receptor's recognition ability for (bio)chemical sensing. In this review, basic and widely applied device concepts of silicon-based BioFEDs (ion-sensitive field-effect transistor, silicon nanowire transistor, electrolyte-insulatorsemiconductor capacitor, and light-addressable potentiometric sensor) are presented, and recent progress (from 2019 to early 2021) is discussed. One of the main advantages of BioFEDs is the label-free sensing principle enabling them to detect a large variety of biomolecules and bioparticles by their intrinsic charge. The review encompasses applications of BioFEDs for the label-free electrical detection of clinically relevant protein biomarkers, DNA molecules and viruses, enzyme-substrate reactions as well as recording of the cell acidification rate (as an indicator of cellular metabolism) and the extracellular potential.

Automated summary

BioFEDs advantageously combine electronic field-effect functionality with the recognition ability of (bio)chemical receptors, enabling them to detect a wide range of biomolecules and bioparticles through a label-free sensing principle. Applications of BioFEDs include the electrical detection of clinically relevant protein biomarkers, DNA molecules, viruses, enzyme-substrate reactions, as well as monitoring cellular metabolic indicators and extracellular potentials.