The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical weaknesses in the global response to emerging viral threats, particularly in the speed and accessibility of diagnostic testing. Traditional diagnostic tools, while accurate in centralized labs, suffer from long turnaround times, reliance on skilled personnel, and limited suitability for decentralized or resource-limited settings.
The FLUFET project addresses these challenges by developing a novel, label-free biosensing platform based on miniaturized graphene field-effect transistors (gFETs). These advanced sensors are capable of real-time detection of intact viral particles, not just fragments, providing a new level of clinical relevance. The FLUFET system integrates innovations in graphene surface chemistry, bioconjugation, predictive modeling, and pressure-controlled microfluidics, aiming to create a portable, automated, and highly selective platform adaptable to a wide range of viral pathogens.
Scientifically, FLUFET merges advances in materials science, microfluidics, and biosensing into a cohesive system. Societally, it promises faster outbreak detection, reduced dependence on central labs, and greater healthcare accessibility in both high- and low-resource settings. Its modular design allows for rapid adaptation to newly identified viruses, supporting global pandemic preparedness.ource environments. The modular nature of the system allows rapid adaptation to emerging pathogens, potentially shortening the time from pathogen identification to deployment of a diagnostic test.
