Development of a highly sensitive large-area TFT odorant biosensor based on insect odorant receptors

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K14787
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 21060:Electron device and electronic equipment-related
• Research Institution: Tohoku University (2021-2022); The University of Tokyo (2020)
• Principal Investigator: Terutsuki Daigo 東北大学, 工学研究科, 助教 (40821921)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 薄膜トランジスタ / 匂いセンサ / 嗅覚受容体 / 昆虫細胞 / 匂いバイオセンサ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, fundamental technology for pattern measurements of odorants was developed by integrating Sf21 insect cells expressing insect odorant receptors (sensor cells) and thin-film transistors (TFTs) based on liquid crystal display technology. First, a closed perfusion cartridge was developed that could mitigate the fluctuations in the liquid surface during the odor stimulation of sensor cells and prevent air bubbles from entering the flow channel. Second, a prototype TFT device was developed for detecting the responses of the sensor cells to odor. Finally, the adhesion dynamics of Sf21 cells on the substrate, the core of cell-coupled field-effect transistor biosensors, were quantitatively monitored using interference reflection microscopy (IRM).

Free Research Field

バイオセンサ

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

疾病に関わる匂いや飲食物に含まれるカビ臭、麻薬・爆発物などの危険物に関わる匂いなど、種々の匂い物質を高感度・高選択的に検出する技術に対するニーズが高まっている。昆虫の優れた嗅覚系を活用した匂いセンサ素子であるセンサ細胞の匂い応答を、TFTデバイスによって電気計測を行うことは、細胞にダメージを与えず、オペレータの習熟度によらない測定が可能となり、新しいセンサ開発とその応用につながるため、学術的意義や社会的意義のいずれも大きい。