Ultrasensitive Detection of Thyroid Hormones using Nanoelectronic SnS-FET Sensor Platforms

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University have developed a highly sensitive tin disulfide nanosheet-fabricated field-effect transistor (SnS-FET) designed for detecting human thyroid-stimulating hormone (hTSH) and thyroxine (T4). The device, co-modified with an antibody or DNA aptamer, can detect hTSH and T4 levels in the femtomolar range and displays negligible cross-reactivity with other pituitary hormones or serum components. This technology holds significant potential for point-of-care clinical diagnostics, particularly for the early screening of thyroid disorders.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SnS-FET sensor platforms have a highly sensitive and selective detection of hTSH and T4, even in high ionic strength buffer or undiluted serum.
  • The devices have a low limit of detection in the femtomolar level and a wide linear working range spanning at least 6 orders of magnitude of analyte concentration.
  • The technology displays negligible cross-reactivity with other pituitary hormones or serum components.
  • The nanoelectronic SnS-FET sensor platforms hold significant potential for point-of-care clinical diagnostics.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in ACS Sensors.
  • The authors of the research include Feng-Yi Su, Ankur Anand, Tse-Hao Chen, Yung-Fu Chen, and Yit-Tsong Chen.
  • The research was conducted at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

Statistics:

  • The SnS-FET sensor platforms can detect hTSH and T4 levels in the femtomolar range (10^-15 M).
  • The devices display a low limit of detection in the femtomolar level and a wide linear working range spanning at least 6 orders of magnitude of analyte concentration.
  • The technology demonstrates negligible cross-reactivity with other pituitary hormones or serum components.
  • The research has been published in ACS Sensors in 2025.

Sources:

  • Ultrasensitive Quantification of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Thyroxine by Nanoelectronic SnS2 Transistor Sensors. ACS Sensors, 2025.
  • NewsRx. National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Reports Findings in Nanoelectronics (Ultrasensitive Quantification of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Thyroxine by Nanoelectronic SnS2 Transistor Sensors). Nanotechnology Weekly. June 30, 2025; p 622.