Electrografted-MoS2 Immunosensor - Project Summary This AREA proposal centers on undergraduate-led research to investigate a novel immunosensing interface comprising covalently linked antibody probe and two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) transducer. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a type of transition metal dichalcogenides, has existed for nearly 2.9 billion years. However, the research activity surrounding MoS₂-based technologies has recently intensified following its first chemical functionalization reported in 2013. MoS2 is naturally abundant, inexpensive, tunable in its bandgap, and easily fabricated into devices. Due to very reasons, MoS₂ has attracted considerable interest in biosensing. Nevertheless, existing MoS2-based biosensing interfaces risk robustness due to heavy reliance on adsorption-based strategy. This approach suffers from significant drawbacks, including probe desorption, random probe orientation, and inconsistent probe density. Although MoS₂ has been extensively studied for biosensing, covalently linked antibody-MoS2 immunosensing interface has been unexplored. This significant gap hinders the advancement of more sensitive, stable, and cost-effective biosensing technologies. To address this unmet need, the proposed research seeks to establish the first solid-state electrografted-MoS2 interface for immunosensing applications. There are two main objectives of the project: 1. Synthesis and comprehensive characterization of the covalently tethered antibody–MoS₂ interface. 2. Systematic and rigorous investigation of label-free charge transduction at the antibody–MoS₂ interface for biosensing application, specifically, targeting neurodegenerative biomarkers found in body fluids. To ensure scientific rigor and reproducibility, the study will examine a comprehensive set of variables that may influence stability of the interface, charge transduction, and sensing capabilities (robustness, sensitivity, and selectivity) in complex media such as serum. The benchmark has been set to achieve detection limit at sub-picogram/milliliters level with signal-to- noise > 3 and coefficient of variance < 5%. This project will provide undergraduate students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge biomedical research by establishing a highly stable, well-characterized sensing interface. The developed platform will have broad utility, including panel screening for disease diagnostics, detection of infectious disease, and cancer biomarkers in biological fluids. Ultimately, the outcomes of this work aim to enable the next-generation of versatile biosensing technologies with enhanced sensitivity, specificity, and affordability, contributing to long-term reductions in healthcare costs.
