Distinct characteristics of DNA field effect transistors embedded with marine-derived porphyra-334 under UV illumination

DNA extracted from salmon has recently attracted the attention of researchers, resulting in applications of DNA in photonic and electronic devices. Porphyra-334, a type of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), also plays an important role in photoprotection for a variety of marine organisms including bacteria and algae. Although MAA and DNA molecules have been intensively studied, fabrication methodology and applicability of MAA-embedded DNA complexes for physical applications have been seldom discussed due to incompatibility between biological samples and physical platform. Here, Porphyra-334 embedded DNA was investigated to understand its electrical transport property with the aid of silicon nanowire/nanoribbon field effect transistors (NW/NR FETs). Its chemical stability was determined by cyclic voltammetry upon illumination of UV light. The current of DNA-SiNW FET was enhanced by the addition of Porphyra-334 and upon illumination of UV light. Conductivities of PDNA-SiNW FET compared to SiNW FET were increased up to ∼70% at dark and ∼40% under UV light due to the presence of Porphyra-334 and excess injection of charge carriers in Porphyra-334 embedded DNA generated by absorbing UV light, respectively. The addition of Porphyra-334 in DNA-SiNR FET lowered its energy level and resulted in large threshold voltage shift towards the negative scale. In addition, its electrochemical property was studied by cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. Porphyra-334 in DNA solution which inhibited oxidation of DNA showed relatively lower current indicating high electrochemical stability and decrease of resistance compared to pristine DNA solution based on results of impedance spectroscopy.