@article{MolinnusPoghossianKeusgenetal.2017, author = {Molinnus, Denise and Poghossian, Arshak and Keusgen, Michael and Katz, Evgeny and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Coupling of Biomolecular Logic Gates with Electronic Transducers: From Single Enzyme Logic Gates to Sense/Act/Treat Chips}, series = {Electroanalysis}, volume = {29}, journal = {Electroanalysis}, number = {8}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1521-4109}, doi = {10.1002/elan.201700208}, pages = {1840 -- 1849}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The integration of biomolecular logic principles with electronic transducers allows designing novel digital biosensors with direct electrical output, logically triggered drug-release, and closed-loop sense/act/treat systems. This opens new opportunities for advanced personalized medicine in the context of theranostics. In the present work, we will discuss selected examples of recent developments in the field of interfacing enzyme logic gates with electrodes and semiconductor field-effect devices. Special attention is given to an enzyme OR/Reset logic gate based on a capacitive field-effect electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor sensor modified with a multi-enzyme membrane. Further examples are a digital adrenaline biosensor based on an AND logic gate with binary YES/NO output and an integrated closed-loop sense/act/treat system comprising an amperometric glucose sensor, a hydrogel actuator, and an insulin (drug) sensor.}, language = {en} } @incollection{PoghossianSchoening2017, author = {Poghossian, Arshak and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Nanomaterial-Modified Capacitive Field-Effect Biosensors}, series = {Springer Series on Chemical Sensors and Biosensors (Methods and Applications)}, booktitle = {Springer Series on Chemical Sensors and Biosensors (Methods and Applications)}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin, Heidelberg}, doi = {10.1007/5346_2017_2}, pages = {1 -- 25}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The coupling of charged molecules, nanoparticles, and more generally, inorganic/organic nanohybrids with semiconductor field-effect devices based on an electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) system represents a very promising strategy for the active tuning of electrochemical properties of these devices and, thus, opening new opportunities for label-free biosensing by the intrinsic charge of molecules. The simplest field-effect sensor is a capacitive EIS sensor, which represents a (bio-)chemically sensitive capacitor. In this chapter, selected examples of recent developments in the field of label-free biosensing using nanomaterial-modified capacitive EIS sensors are summarized. In the first part, we present applications of EIS sensors modified with negatively charged gold nanoparticles for the label-free electrostatic detection of positively charged small proteins and macromolecules, for monitoring the layer-by-layer formation of oppositely charged polyelectrolyte (PE) multilayers as well as for the development of an enzyme-based biomolecular logic gate. In the second part, examples of a label-free detection by means of EIS sensors modified with a positively charged weak PE layer are demonstrated. These include electrical detection of on-chip and in-solution hybridized DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) as well as an EIS sensor with pH-responsive weak PE/enzyme multilayers for enhanced field-effect biosensing.}, language = {en} } @article{HonarvarfardGamellaPoghossianetal.2017, author = {Honarvarfard, Elham and Gamella, Maria and Poghossian, Arshak and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Katz, Evgeny}, title = {An enzyme-based reversible Controlled NOT (CNOT) logic gate operating on a semiconductor transducer}, series = {Applied Materials Today}, volume = {9}, journal = {Applied Materials Today}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2352-9407}, doi = {10.1016/j.apmt.2017.08.003}, pages = {266 -- 270}, year = {2017}, abstract = {An enzyme-based biocatalytic system mimicking operation of a logically reversible Controlled NOT (CNOT) gate has been interfaced with semiconductor electronic transducers. Electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) structures have been used to transduce chemical changes produced by the enzyme system to an electronically readable capacitive output signal using field-effect features of the EIS device. Two enzymes, urease and esterase, were immobilized on the insulating interface of EIS structure producing local pH changes performing XOR logic operation controlled by various combinations of the input signals represented by urea and ethyl butyrate. Another EIS transducer was functionalized with esterase only, thus performing Identity (ID) logic operation for the ethyl butyrate input. Both semiconductor devices assembled in parallel operated as a logically reversible CNOT gate. The present system, despite its simplicity, demonstrated for the first time logically reversible function of the enzyme system transduced electronically with the semiconductor devices. The biomolecular realization of a CNOT gate interfaced with semiconductors is promising for integration into complex biomolecular networks and future biosensor/biomedical applications.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{JablonskiKochBronderetal.2017, author = {Jablonski, Melanie and Koch, Claudia and Bronder, Thomas and Poghossian, Arshak and Wege, Christina and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Field-Effect Biosensors Modified with Tobacco Mosaic Virus Nanotubes as Enzyme Nanocarrier}, series = {MDPI Proceeding}, volume = {1}, booktitle = {MDPI Proceeding}, number = {4}, doi = {10.3390/proceedings1040505}, pages = {4}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{SchoeningBronderWuetal.2017, author = {Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Bronder, Thomas and Wu, Chunsheng and Scheja, Sabrina and Jessing, Max and Metzger-Boddien, Christoph and Keusgen, Michael and Poghossian, Arshak}, title = {Label-Free DNA Detection with Capacitive Field-Effect Devices—Challenges and Opportunities}, series = {Proceedings}, volume = {1}, journal = {Proceedings}, number = {8}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2504-3900}, doi = {10.3390/proceedings1080719}, pages = {Artikel 719}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Field-effect EIS (electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor) sensors modified with a positively charged weak polyelectrolyte layer have been applied for the electrical detection of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) immobilization and hybridization by the intrinsic molecular charge. The EIS sensors are able to detect the existence of target DNA amplicons in PCR (polymerase chain reaction) samples and thus, can be used as tool for a quick verification of DNA amplification and the successful PCR process. Due to their miniaturized setup, compatibility with advanced micro- and nanotechnologies, and ability to detect biomolecules by their intrinsic molecular charge, those sensors can serve as possible platform for the development of label-free DNA chips. Possible application fields as well as challenges and limitations will be discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{WuPoghossianBronderetal.2016, author = {Wu, Chunsheng and Poghossian, Arshak and Bronder, Thomas and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Sensing of double-stranded DNA molecules by their intrinsic molecular charge using the light-addressable potentiometric sensor}, series = {Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical}, journal = {Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical}, number = {229}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0925-4005}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2016.02.004}, pages = {506 -- 512}, year = {2016}, abstract = {A multi-spot light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS), which belongs to the family of semiconductor field-effect devices, was applied for label-free detection of double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) molecules by their intrinsic molecular charge. To reduce the distance between the DNA charge and sensor surface and thus, to enhance the electrostatic coupling between the dsDNA molecules and the LAPS, the negatively charged dsDNA molecules were electrostatically adsorbed onto the gate surface of the LAPS covered with a positively charged weak polyelectrolyte layer of PAH (poly(allylamine hydrochloride)). The surface potential changes in each spot of the LAPS, induced by the layer-by-layer adsorption of a PAH/dsDNA bilayer, were recorded by means of photocurrent-voltage and constant-photocurrent measurements. In addition, the surface morphology of the gate surface before and after consecutive electrostatic adsorption of PAH and dsDNA layers was studied by atomic force microscopy measurements. Moreover, fluorescence microscopy was used to verify the successful adsorption of dsDNA molecules onto the PAH-modified LAPS surface. A high sensor signal of 25 mV was registered after adsorption of 10 nM dsDNA molecules. The lower detection limit is down to 0.1 nM dsDNA. The obtained results demonstrate that the PAH-modified LAPS device provides a convenient and rapid platform for the direct label-free electrical detection of in-solution hybridized dsDNA molecules.}, language = {en} } @article{MolinnusSorichBartzetal.2016, author = {Molinnus, Denise and Sorich, Maren and Bartz, Alexander and Siegert, Petra and Willenberg, Holger S. and Lisdat, Fred and Poghossian, Arshak and Keusgen, Michael and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Towards an adrenaline biosensor based on substrate recycling amplification in combination with an enzyme logic gate}, series = {Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical}, volume = {237}, journal = {Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0925-4005}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2016.06.064}, pages = {190 -- 195}, year = {2016}, abstract = {An amperometric biosensor using a substrate recycling principle was realized for the detection of low adrenaline concentrations (1 nM) by measurements in phosphate buffer and Ringer's solution at pH 6.5 and pH 7.4, respectively. In proof-of-concept experiments, a Boolean logic-gate principle has been applied to develop a digital adrenaline biosensor based on an enzyme AND logic gate. The obtained results demonstrate that the developed digital biosensor is capable for a rapid qualitative determination of the presence/absence of adrenaline in a YES/NO statement. Such digital biosensor could be used in clinical diagnostics for the control of a correct insertion of a catheter in the adrenal veins during adrenal venous-sampling procedure.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BaeckerKochGeigeretal.2016, author = {B{\"a}cker, Matthias and Koch, C. and Geiger, F. and Eber, F. and Gliemann, H. and Poghossian, Arshak and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {A New Class of Biosensors Based on Tobacco Mosaic Virus and Coat Proteins as Enzyme Nanocarrier}, series = {Procedia Engineering}, volume = {Vol. 168}, booktitle = {Procedia Engineering}, issn = {1877-7058}, doi = {10.1016/j.proeng.2016.11.228}, pages = {618 -- 621}, year = {2016}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{PoghossianBronderSchejaetal.2016, author = {Poghossian, Arshak and Bronder, Thomas and Scheja, S. and Wu, Chunsheng and Metzger-Boddien, C. and Keusgen, M. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Label-free Electrostatic Detection of DNA Amplification by PCR Using Capacitive Field-effect Devices}, series = {Procedia Engineering}, volume = {Vol. 168}, booktitle = {Procedia Engineering}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1877-7058}, doi = {10.1016/j.proeng.2016.11.512}, pages = {514 -- 517}, year = {2016}, abstract = {A capacitive field-effect EIS (electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor) sensor modified with a positively charged weak polyelectrolyte of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH)/single-stranded probe DNA (ssDNA) bilayer has been used for a label-free electrostatic detection of pathogen-specific DNA amplification via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The sensor is able to distinguish between positive and negative PCR solutions, to detect the existence of target DNA amplicons in PCR samples and thus, can be used as tool for a quick verification of DNA amplification and the successful PCR process.}, language = {en} } @article{PoghossianBaeckerMayeretal.2015, author = {Poghossian, Arshak and B{\"a}cker, Matthias and Mayer, Dirk and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Gating capacitive field-effect sensors by the charge of nanoparticle/molecule hybrids}, series = {Nanoscale}, journal = {Nanoscale}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {2040-3372 (E-Journal); 2040-3364 (Print)}, doi = {10.1039/C4NR05987E}, pages = {1023 -- 1031}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @article{SchusserPoghossianBaeckeretal.2015, author = {Schusser, Sebastian and Poghossian, Arshak and B{\"a}cker, Matthias and Krischer, M. and Leinhos, Marcel and Wagner, P. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {An application of field-effect sensors for in-situ monitoring of degradation of biopolymers}, series = {Sensors and actuators B: Chemical}, volume = {207, Part B}, journal = {Sensors and actuators B: Chemical}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1873-3077 (E-Journal); 0925-4005 (Print)}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2014.10.058}, pages = {954 -- 959}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The characterization of the degradation kinetics of biodegradable polymers is mandatory with regard to their proper application. In the present work, polymer-modified electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (PMEIS) field-effect sensors have been applied for in-situ monitoring of the pH-dependent degradation kinetics of the commercially available biopolymer poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PDLLA) in buffer solutions from pH 3 to pH 13. PDLLA films of 500 nm thickness were deposited on the surface of an Al-p-Si-SiO2-Ta2O5 structure from a polymer solution by means of spin-coating method. The PMEIS sensor is, in principle, capable to detect any changes in bulk, surface and interface properties of the polymer induced by degradation processes. A faster degradation has been observed for PDLLA films exposed to alkaline solutions (pH 9, pH 11 and pH 13).}, language = {en} } @article{WuBronderPoghossianetal.2015, author = {Wu, Chunsheng and Bronder, Thomas and Poghossian, Arshak and Werner, Frederik and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Label-free detection of DNA using light-addressable potentiometric sensor modified with a positively charged polyelectrolyte layer}, series = {Nanoscale}, volume = {14}, journal = {Nanoscale}, number = {7}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)}, address = {Cambridge}, doi = {10.1039/C4NR07225A}, pages = {6143 -- 6150}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A multi-spot (16 spots) light-addressable potentiometric sensor (MLAPS) consisting of an Al-p-Si-SiO2 structure modified with a weak polyelectrolyte layer of PAH (poly(allylamine hydrochloride)) was applied for the label-free electrical detection of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) immobilization and hybridization by the intrinsic molecular charge for the first time. To achieve a preferentially flat orientation of DNA strands and thus, to reduce the distance between the DNA charge and MLAPS surface, the negatively charged probe single-stranded DNAs (ssDNA) were electrostatically adsorbed onto the positively charged PAH layer using a simple layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. In this way, more DNA charge can be positioned within the Debye length, yielding a higher sensor signal. The surface potential changes in each spot induced due to the surface modification steps (PAH adsorption, probe ssDNA immobilization, hybridization with complementary target DNA (cDNA), non-specific adsorption of mismatched ssDNA) were determined from the shifts of photocurrent-voltage curves along the voltage axis. A high sensor signal of 83 mV was registered after immobilization of probe ssDNA onto the PAH layer. The hybridization signal increases from 5 mV to 32 mV with increasing the concentration of cDNA from 0.1 nM to 5 μM. In contrast, a small signal of 5 mV was recorded in the case of non-specific adsorption of fully mismatched ssDNA (5 μM). The obtained results demonstrate the potential of the MLAPS in combination with the simple and rapid LbL immobilization technique as a promising platform for the future development of multi-spot light-addressable label-free DNA chips with direct electrical readout.}, language = {en} } @article{BegingLeinhosJablonskietal.2015, author = {Beging, Stefan and Leinhos, Marcel and Jablonski, Melanie and Poghossian, Arshak and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Studying the spatially resolved immobilisation of enzymes on a capacitive field-effect structure by means of nano-spotting}, series = {Physica status solidi (a)}, volume = {212}, journal = {Physica status solidi (a)}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1862-6319}, doi = {10.1002/pssa.201431891}, pages = {1353 -- 1358}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @article{PoghossianKatzSchoening2015, author = {Poghossian, Arshak and Katz, Evgeny and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Enzyme logic AND-Reset and OR-Reset gates based on a field-effect electronic transducer modified with multi-enzyme membrane}, series = {Chemical Communications}, volume = {51}, journal = {Chemical Communications}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)}, address = {Cambridge}, doi = {10.1039/C5CC01362C}, pages = {6564 -- 6567}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Capacitive field-effect sensors modified with a multi-enzyme membrane have been applied for an electronic transduction of biochemical signals processed by enzyme-based AND-Reset and OR-Reset logic gates. The local pH change at the sensor surface induced by the enzymatic reaction was used for the activation of the Reset function for the first time.}, language = {en} } @article{HuckPoghossianBaeckeretal.2015, author = {Huck, Christina and Poghossian, Arshak and B{\"a}cker, Matthias and Reisert, Steffen and Kramer, Friederike and Begoyan, Vardges K. and Buniatyan, Vahe V. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Multi-parameter sensing using high-k oxide of barium strontium titanate}, series = {Physica status solidi (a)}, volume = {212}, journal = {Physica status solidi (a)}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1862-6319}, doi = {10.1002/pssa.201431911}, pages = {1259}, year = {2015}, abstract = {High-k perovskite oxide of barium strontium titanate (BST) represents a very attractive multi-functional transducer material for the development of (bio-)chemical sensors. In this work, a Si-based sensor chip containing Pt interdigitated electrodes covered with a thin BST layer (485 nm) has been developed for multi-parameter chemical sensing. The chip has been applied for the contactless measurement of the electrolyte conductivity, the detection of adsorbed charged macromolecules (positively charged polyelectrolytes of polyethylenimine) and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) vapor. The experimental results of functional testing of individual sensors are presented. The mechanism of the BST sensitivity to charged polyelectrolytes and H2O2 vapor has been proposed and discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{MolinnusBaeckerSiegertetal.2015, author = {Molinnus, Denise and B{\"a}cker, Matthias and Siegert, Petra and Willenberg, H. and Poghossian, Arshak and Keusgen, M. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Detection of Adrenaline Based on Substrate Recycling Amplification}, series = {Procedia Engineering}, volume = {120}, journal = {Procedia Engineering}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1877-7058}, doi = {10.1016/j.proeng.2015.08.708}, pages = {540 -- 543}, year = {2015}, abstract = {An amperometric enzyme biosensor has been applied for the detection of adrenaline. The adrenaline biosensor has been prepared by modification of an oxygen electrode with the enzyme laccase that operates at a broad pH range between pH 3.5 to pH 8. The enzyme molecules were immobilized via cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The sensitivity of the developed adrenaline biosensor in different pH buffer solutions has been studied.}, language = {en} } @article{SchusserKrischerMolinetal.2015, author = {Schusser, Sebastian and Krischer, M. and Molin, D. G. M. and Akker, N. M. S. van den and B{\"a}cker, Matthias and Poghossian, Arshak and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Sensor System for in-situ and Real-time Monitoring of Polymer (bio) degradation}, series = {Procedia Engineering}, volume = {120}, journal = {Procedia Engineering}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1877-7058}, doi = {10.1016/j.proeng.2015.08.815}, pages = {948 -- 951}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A sensor system for investigating (bio)degradationprocesses of polymers is presented. The system utilizes semiconductor field-effect sensors and is capable of monitoring the degradation process in-situ and in real-time. The degradation of the polymer poly(d,l-lactic acid) is exemplarily monitored in solutions with different pH value, pH-buffer solution containing the model enzyme lipase from Rhizomucormiehei and cell-culture medium containing supernatants from stimulated and non-stimulated THP-1-derived macrophages mimicking activation of the immune system.}, language = {en} } @article{BronderPoghossianSchejaetal.2015, author = {Bronder, Thomas and Poghossian, Arshak and Scheja, S. and Wu, Chunsheng and Keusgen, M. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Electrostatic Detection of Unlabelled Single- and Double-stranded DNA Using Capacitive Field-effect Devices Functionalized with a Positively Charged Polyelectrolyte Layer}, series = {Procedia Engineering}, volume = {120}, journal = {Procedia Engineering}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1877-7058}, doi = {10.1016/j.proeng.2015.08.710}, pages = {544 -- 547}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Capacitive field-effect electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor sensors consisting of an Al-p-Si-SiO2 structure have been used for the electrical detection of unlabelled single- and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecules by their intrinsic charge. A simple functionalization protocol based on the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique was used to prepare a weak polyelectrolyte/probe-DNA bilayer, followed by the hybridization with complementary target DNA molecules. Due to the flat orientation of the LbL-adsorbed DNA molecules, a high sensor signal has been achieved. In addition, direct label-free detection of in-solution hybridized dsDNA molecules has been studied.}, language = {en} } @article{MolinnusBaeckerIkenetal.2015, author = {Molinnus, Denise and B{\"a}cker, Matthias and Iken, Heiko and Poghossian, Arshak and Keusgen, Michael and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Concept for a biomolecular logic chip with an integrated sensor and actuator function}, series = {Physica status solidi (a)}, volume = {212}, journal = {Physica status solidi (a)}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1862-6319}, doi = {10.1002/pssa.201431913}, pages = {1382 -- 1388}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A concept for a new generation of an integrated multi-functional biosensor/actuator system is developed, which is based on biomolecular logic principles. Such a system is expected to be able to detect multiple biochemical input signals simultaneously and in real-time and convert them into electrical output signals with logical operations such as OR, AND, etc. The system can be designed as a closed-loop drug release device triggered by an enzyme logic gate, while the release of the drug induced by the actuator at the required dosage and timing will be controlled by an additional drug sensor. Thus, the system could help to make an accurate and specific diagnosis. The presented concept is exemplarily demonstrated by using an enzyme logic gate based on a glucose/glucose oxidase system, a temperature-responsive hydrogel mimicking the actuator function and an insulin (drug) sensor. In this work, the results of functional testing of individual amperometric glucose and insulin sensors as well as an impedimetric sensor for the detection of the hydrogel swelling/shrinking are presented.}, language = {en} } @article{BronderPoghossianSchejaetal.2015, author = {Bronder, Thomas and Poghossian, Arshak and Scheja, Sabrina and Wu, Chunsheng and Keusgen, Michael and Mewes, Dieter and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {DNA Immobilization and Hybridization Detection by the Intrinsic Molecular Charge Using Capacitive Field-Effect Sensors Modified with a Charged Weak Polyelectrolyte Layer}, series = {Applied Materials \& Interfaces}, volume = {36}, journal = {Applied Materials \& Interfaces}, number = {7}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington, DC}, doi = {10.1021/acsami.5b05146}, pages = {20068 -- 20075}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Miniaturized setup, compatibility with advanced micro- and nanotechnologies, and ability to detect biomolecules by their intrinsic molecular charge favor the semiconductor field-effect platform as one of the most attractive approaches for the development of label-free DNA chips. In this work, a capacitive field-effect EIS (electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor) sensor covered with a layer-by-layer prepared, positively charged weak polyelectrolyte layer of PAH (poly(allylamine hydrochloride)) was used for the label-free electrical detection of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) immobilization and hybridization. The negatively charged probe single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecules were electrostatically adsorbed onto the positively charged PAH layer, resulting in a preferentially flat orientation of the ssDNA molecules within the Debye length, thus yielding a reduced charge-screening effect and a higher sensor signal. Each sensor-surface modification step (PAH adsorption, probe ssDNA immobilization, hybridization with complementary target DNA (cDNA), reducing an unspecific adsorption by a blocking agent, incubation with noncomplementary DNA (ncDNA) solution) was monitored by means of capacitance-voltage and constant-capacitance measurements. In addition, the surface morphology of the PAH layer was studied by atomic force microscopy and contact-angle measurements. High hybridization signals of 34 and 43 mV were recorded in low-ionic strength solutions of 10 and 1 mM, respectively. In contrast, a small signal of 4 mV was recorded in the case of unspecific adsorption of fully mismatched ncDNA. The density of probe ssDNA and dsDNA molecules as well as the hybridization efficiency was estimated using the experimentally measured DNA immobilization and hybridization signals and a simplified double-layer capacitor model. The results of field-effect experiments were supported by fluorescence measurements, verifying the DNA-immobilization and hybridization event.}, language = {en} }