biostudies-literatureUnknown111(14)Shoorideh KElectrostatic counter ion screening is a phenomenon that is detrimental to the sensitivity of charge detection in electrolytic environments, such as in field-effect transistor-based biosensors. Using simple analytical arguments, we show that electrostatic screening is weaker in the vicinity of concave curved surfaces, and stronger in the vicinity of convex surfaces. We use this insight to show, using numerical simulations, that the enhanced sensitivity observed in nanoscale biosensors is due to binding of biomolecules in concave corners where screening is reduced. We show that the traditional argument, that increased surface area-to-volume ratio for nanoscale sensors is responsible for their increased sensitivity, is incorrect.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America5111-6https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC3986196biostudies-literatureOn the origin of enhanced sensitivity in nanoscale FET-based biosensors.PMC3986196Shoorideh KChui COfalseOn the origin of enhanced sensitivity in nanoscale FET-based biosensors.Electrostatic counter ion screening is a phenomenon that is detrimental to the sensitivity of charge detection in electrolytic environments, such as in field-effect transistor-based biosensors. Using simple analytical arguments, we show that electrostatic screening is weaker in the vicinity of concave curved surfaces, and stronger in the vicinity of convex surfaces. We use this insight to show, using numerical simulations, that the enhanced sensitivity observed in nanoscale biosensors is due to binding of biomolecules in concave corners where screening is reduced. We show that the traditional argument, that increased surface area-to-volume ratio for nanoscale sensors is responsible for their increased sensitivity, is incorrect.2014-01-01T00:00:00Z2014 Apr2021-02-20T19:37:08Z2019-03-27T01:24:57ZS-EPMC39861962470686110.1073/pnas.1315485111