This thesis presents the development of nanomaterial-based sensing systems for biomedical diagnostics and personalized healthcare, combining receptor-mediated BioFET biosensors and receptor-free chemiresistive electronic nose (e-nose) technologies. The work addresses both liquid-phase molecular detection and gas-phase volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis using data-driven approaches.
A hydrogel-gated silicon nanonet BioFET was developed to overcome Debye screening limitations in physiological environments, enabling direct detection of viral targets in complex biological media. Building on this platform evolution, the sensing approach was extended from large biomolecule detection to small-molecule sensing using aptamer-functionalized BioFETs, where DNA aptamers were immobilized directly on the sensor surface for label-free detection of 17β-estradiol in microfluidic systems. Real-time measurements demonstrated continuous monitoring capability and dynamic signal changes associated with molecular interactions.
The third stage shifts from molecular receptors to receptor-free sensing, using chemiresistive MOX gas sensors to identify Parkinson’s disease–related VOC patterns in human sebum. Here, selectivity is achieved through machine learning–based pattern recognition rather than specific biochemical interactions.
Finally, this receptor-free approach is extended to odor discrimination and assisted olfaction using nanomaterial-based gas sensors, exploring how sensor responses relate to human odor perception.
In summary, this thesis combines nanomaterial-based sensing and data-driven analysis for biomedical detection. By integrating BioFET biosensors and chemiresistive e-nose systems, the work demonstrates detection of both specific molecular interactions and complex chemical signatures, contributing to the development of intelligent health-monitoring technologies.
Alexandra Parichenko studied Nanobiophysics at Technical University of Dresden (TUD) and received her Master’s degree in 2021. Her Master’s thesis was mainly conducted at Fraunhofer IKTS under supervision of Dr. Natalia Beshchasna and Dr. Jörg Opitz. In the frame of the thesis she investigated diamond nanoparticles and high density lipoprotein nanoparticles as potential anti-atherogenic agents, which can be integrated into the biodegradable coating of vascular stents. In 2020 she joined Prof. Gianaurelio Cuniberti’s chair and now is focusing on investigation of different hydrogels for hosting bio-receptors on the surfaces of biosensors, such as nanowire field effect transistors (FETs) and carbon nanotubes FETs.
This thesis presents the development of nanomaterial-based sensing systems for biomedical diagnostics and personalized healthcare, combining receptor-mediated BioFET biosensors and receptor-free chemiresistive electronic nose (e-nose) technologies. The work addresses both liquid-phase molecular detection and gas-phase volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis using data-driven approaches.
A hydrogel-gated silicon nanonet BioFET was developed to overcome Debye screening limitations in physiological environments, enabling direct detection of viral targets in complex biological media. Building on this platform evolution, the sensing approach was extended from large biomolecule detection to small-molecule sensing using aptamer-functionalized BioFETs, where DNA aptamers were immobilized directly on the sensor surface for label-free detection of 17β-estradiol in microfluidic systems. Real-time measurements demonstrated continuous monitoring capability and dynamic signal changes associated with molecular interactions.
The third stage shifts from molecular receptors to receptor-free sensing, using chemiresistive MOX gas sensors to identify Parkinson’s disease–related VOC patterns in human sebum. Here, selectivity is achieved through machine learning–based pattern recognition rather than specific biochemical interactions.
Finally, this receptor-free approach is extended to odor discrimination and assisted olfaction using nanomaterial-based gas sensors, exploring how sensor responses relate to human odor perception.
In summary, this thesis combines nanomaterial-based sensing and data-driven analysis for biomedical detection. By integrating BioFET biosensors and chemiresistive e-nose systems, the work demonstrates detection of both specific molecular interactions and complex chemical signatures, contributing to the development of intelligent health-monitoring technologies.
Alexandra Parichenko studied Nanobiophysics at Technical University of Dresden (TUD) and received her Master’s degree in 2021. Her Master’s thesis was mainly conducted at Fraunhofer IKTS under supervision of Dr. Natalia Beshchasna and Dr. Jörg Opitz. In the frame of the thesis she investigated diamond nanoparticles and high density lipoprotein nanoparticles as potential anti-atherogenic agents, which can be integrated into the biodegradable coating of vascular stents. In 2020 she joined Prof. Gianaurelio Cuniberti’s chair and now is focusing on investigation of different hydrogels for hosting bio-receptors on the surfaces of biosensors, such as nanowire field effect transistors (FETs) and carbon nanotubes FETs.
