Novel Field-Effect Transistor Sensor for DNA Storage Monitoring

Abstract

This article presents a novel open gate junction field-effect transistor (OG-JFET)-based sensor that can be used for various life science applications including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) storage monitoring. We put forward the design, modeling, implementation, and characterization of OG-JFET sensor using a foundry process through CMC Microsystems. We also demonstrate and discuss the functionality and applicability of the proposed sensor for monitoring DNA samples suitable for DNA storage applications. Synthetic storage has emerged as an intriguing data storage solution with high density and long-term preservation potential. Most common modalities include the conversion of digital data into synthesized nucleotides, the physical storage of DNA materials, and reading out the data via sequencing and other computational processes. Among these, this article tackles the challenge of physical storage monitoring of DNA materials by developing a sensor for measurement of DNA samples in dry conditions. The proposed sensor reveals a linear response of sensor toward DNA concentration in ultra-pure water. Across a 0.7 mm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> sensing area, a DNA mass concentration from approximately 100–400 ng/ <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{L}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> has been detected using OG-JFET demonstrating a sensitivity of 30 <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{A}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> /(ng/ <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{L}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> ). These performance quantities imply a promising role for OG-JFETs in emerging biotechnology applications including DNA storage monitoring.