Assistant Professor Du Bowen from the School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering at Shenzhen University published a research paper titled "Ultrasensitive optoelectronic biosensor arrays based on twisted bilayer graphene superlattice" in the top-tier comprehensive journal *National Science Review* (IF=17). The study introduces a novel ultrasensitive optoelectronic biosensor that leverages the superlattice properties of twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) and plasmonic resonance effects to achieve amplification-free detection of biomolecules at the attomolar level.
The research team precisely integrated a 9.4° twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) superlattice with gold nanodisks and CRISPR-Cas12a gene-editing technology through DNA structures, developing an attoampere-scale graphene photonic-bio detection chip without amplification. The platform operates based on the CRISPR-Cas12a-mediated reverse cleavage mechanism: when target DNA is recognized, Cas12a cleaves the single-stranded DNA linker within the DNA prototype, releasing gold nanoparticles and restoring the original dielectric environment, thereby triggering a signal change. In the study, the angle-tunable Van Hove singularity (VHS) of tBLG significantly enhanced photovoltaic conversion efficiency under low light intensity, while the DNA origami structure ensured precise positioning of all functional components, forming an optimized signal-transduction bio-nano interface. This hybrid platform skillfully combines the molecular specificity of the CRISPR system with the moiré superlattice enhancement effect of tBLG, surpassing the limitations of traditional optical and electronic sensing modes. It establishes a scalable framework for multiplexed biological detection, addressing critical challenges in ultra-large-scale diagnostics.
In clinical validation, the sensor successfully achieved precise detection of lung cancer tissue samples without the need for nucleic acid amplification, with results highly consistent with quantitative PCR (qPCR). The sensor's detection limit reached the attomolar level, with a response time of less than one hour, and demonstrated the capability for simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers, surpassing traditional detection methods by four orders of magnitude. This platform not only exhibits extremely high sensitivity but also demonstrates excellent stability and scalability, providing a reliable tool for detecting trace biomarkers in complex biological matrices. It holds promise for application in various clinical scenarios, including early disease screening and dynamic monitoring.
The paper was completed with Shenzhen University as the primary institution and corresponding author unit. Assistant Professor Du Bowen and Ph.D. candidate Tian Xilin served as co-first authors, while Professor Zhang Han, Professor Chen Shi, and Assistant Professor Wei Songrui acted as co-corresponding authors.
Source: Sensor Expert Network