@article {26468,
	title = {Non-covalently embedded oxytocin in alkanethiol monolayer as Zn2+ selective biosensor},
	journal = {Sci. Rep.},
	year = {2021},
	abstract = {\&nbsp;Peptides are commonly used as biosensors for analytes such as metal ions as they have natural binding preferences. In our previous peptide-based impedimetric metal ion biosensors, a monolayer of the peptide was anchored covalently to the electrode. Binding of metal ions resulted in a conformational change of the oxytocin peptide in the monolayer, which was measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Here, we demonstrate that sensing can be achieved also when the oxytocin is non-covalently integrated into an alkanethiol host monolayer. We show that ion-binding cause morphological changes to the dense host layer, which translates into enhanced impedimetric signals compared to direct covalent assembly strategies. This biosensor proved selective and sensitive for Zn2+\&nbsp;ions in the range of nano- to micro-molar concentrations. This strategy offers an approach to utilize peptide flexibility in monitoring their response to the environment while embedded in a hydrophobic monolayer.\&nbsp;},
	url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-85015-w},
	author = {Attia J and Nir S and Mervinetsky E and Balogh D and Gitlin-Domagalska A and Alshanski I and Reches M and Hurevich M and Yitzchaik S}
}
