Reduced graphene oxide electrolyte gated transistors for cellular bioelectronics applications

• Grant number: 23/14319-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 10, 2023
• End date: February 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Rafael Furlan de Oliveira
• Grantee: Gabrielle Coelho Lelis
• Supervisor: Henrique Leonel Gomes
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade de Coimbra (UC), Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/03501-2 - Evaluation of the Operational Characteristics and Stability of Liquid-gated Transistors based on Reduced Graphene Oxide in Artificial Fluids for Biosensing Applications, BP.IC

Abstract

Bioelectronics is an interdisciplinary field that plays a crucial role in integrating electronics with biology, opening new frontiers for understanding and manipulating biological systems. This field offers a promising interface between the biological and technological worlds, enabling the creation of innovative devices and systems for advanced medical diagnostics and continuous health monitoring. The use of devices, such as electrodes dedicated to studying electrical properties in cells and tissues, has significantly expanded our understanding of biological phenomena. Electrolytic transistors can transform biological and biochemical stimuli into amplified electronic signals and operate stably in aqueous environments, making them fundamental components in the field of bioelectronics. The aim of this project is to develop and characterize innovative devices capable of measuring the bioelectrical activity of non-excitable cells. To achieve this purpose, this proposal synergistically combines the complementary skills of two research teams. The research team from the National Nanotechnology Laboratory (LNNano) led by Dr. Rafael Furlan de Oliveira, who has expertise in the fabrication and characterization of electrolytic transistors based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and aims to initiate a less explored research line in Brazil, the integration of cells with devices, thus expanding the research boundaries in this field. The research team led by Prof. Gomes in Coimbra (UC), who has extensive experience in cultivating various types of cells using a variety of electrodes. This knowledge serves as a basis to evaluate the performance of rGO-based transistors compared to other materials. (AU)