ZnO films formed by atomic layer deposition as an optical biosensor platform for the detection of Grapevine virus A-type proteins

Novel sensitive optical biosensor for determination of Grapevine virus A-type (GVA) proteins (GVA-antigens) has been designed. This biosensor was based on thin films of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The ZnO-based films have demonstrated favorable surface-structural properties for the direct immobilization of antibodies against OVA-antigens in order to form a biosensitive layer sensitive to OVA antigens. The immobilization was confirmed by intensity changes in the main near band emission (NBE) peak of ZnO and by the formation of intense photoluminescence band, discovered in the visible range around 425 nm, caused by the immobilized proteins. The GVA-antigen detection was performed by the evaluation of changes and behavior of a corresponding luminescence band. The sensitivity of as-formed label-free biosensor towards the OVA-antigens was determined in the range from 1 pg/ml to 10 ng/ml; in addition, the selectivity of biosensor was evaluated.