Abstract: The disclosure relates to an array of biosensor, at least one biosensor in the array having: an electrode pair having a source electrode and a drain electrode separated by a nanogap; a nanobridge including a metal-nonmetal compound semiconductor connecting the two electrodes across the nanogap; one or more bioreceptors attached to the nanobridge; an analyte solution comprising water, salts and one or more target molecules; a reaction chamber for housing the array and for receiving the analyte solution; a circuitry configured to detect and measure a change in electrical characteristics of the analyte when a respective one of the target molecules attaches or detaches from a respective one of the bioreceptors; wherein the biosensor detects a change in the electrical characteristic of the nanobridge during the event.

Abstract: In various embodiments alpha helical peptide-based bridges for molecular biosensing “on-chip” are disclosed. The Peptide-based bridges serve as common bridges for great diversity of biosensing applications and targets including nucleic acids, proteins, antigens, antibodies, small molecules. The primary sensor element is preferably a “molecular wire” such as an alpha-helical peptide integrated into a current monitoring circuit. The engineered peptide may contain a central conjugation site for attachment of various probe molecules including nucleic acids, proteins, antigens, antibodies. The probe-containing bridge empowers the sensor to detect interactions with specific target molecules.