IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,546,769
Granted Patent B2
US 12,546,769 · App. 17/473,412 · Granted Feb 10, 2026

Graphene-biomolecule bioelectronic devices

Inventors: Alan T. Johnson, Jr. (Philadelphia, PA); Ye Lu (Philadelphia, PA); Joseph J. Mitala, Jr. (Rockville, MD); Bohdana Discher (Philadelphia, PA); Brett R. Goldsmith (Philadelphia, PA)
Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
G01N33/54306G01N33/54353G01N33/54373G01N33/582
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,546,769
App. No.
17/473,412
Granted
Feb 10, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided are devices and methods featuring a nanoelectronic interface between graphene devices (for example, field effect transistors or FETs) and biomolecules such as proteins, which in turn provides a pathway for production of bioelectronic devices that combine functionalities of the biomolecular and inorganic components. In one exemplary application, one may functionalize graphene FETs with fluorescent proteins to yield hybrids that respond to light at wavelengths defined by the optical absorption spectrum of the protein. The devices may also include graphene in electronic communication with a bio-molecule that preferentially binds to a particular analyte.

Claims (10)

1 . A method, comprising:

illuminating a hybrid body with a particular wavelength of illumination,

the hybrid body including (i) a biomolecule portion comprising a fluorescent protein having an optical absorption peak at around the particular wavelength of excitation illumination, and (ii) a graphene body being in the form of a flat single-atom thick sheet,

the graphene body being in electronic communication with the biomolecule portion; and

detecting a photocurrent response of the hybrid body.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising contacting the biomolecule portion to a sample.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the sample contains a binding partner complementary to the biomolecule portion.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the biomolecule portion further comprises an enzyme.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the biomolecule portion is bound to the graphene body via an interaction between a nickel-nitriloacetic acid group and a histidine residue.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the biomolecule portion is bound to the graphene body via a peptide sequence.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY ASSIGNMENT Recorded Oct 4, 2021
From: GOLDSMITH, BRETT R.
To: THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Reel/Frame 057754/0883 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 29, 2021
From: JOHNSON, ALAN T., JR.; LU, YE; MITALA, JOSEPH J., JR.; DISCHER, BOHDANA
To: THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Reel/Frame 057635/0605 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 14362798
Provisional Application 61566782 · Dec 5, 2011
Related Publication 20220011302A1 · Jan 13, 2022
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