biostudies-literatureDuan WNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesCenter for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination, University of IowaNIEHS NIH HHS47341-47348https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9774403biostudies-literatureUnknown7(50)Estrogens and estrogen-mimicking compounds in the aquatic environment are known to cause negative impacts to both ecosystems and human health. In this initial proof-of-principle study, we developed a novel vertically oriented silicon nanowire (vSiNW) array-based biosensor for low-cost, highly sensitive and selective detection of estrogens. The vSiNW arrays were formed using an inexpensive and scalable metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) process. A vSiNW array-based p-n junction diode (vSiNW-diode) transducer design for the biosensor was used and functionalized via 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-based silane chemistry to bond estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α) to the surface of the vSiNWs. Following receptor conjugation, the biosensors were exposed to increasing concentrations of estraACS omegaSensitive and Specific Detection of Estrogens Featuring Doped Silicon Nanowire Arrays.PMC9774403P30 ES005605Gao BToor FLeFevre GHZhi HKeefe DWDuan WfalseSensitive and Specific Detection of Estrogens Featuring Doped Silicon Nanowire Arrays.Estrogens and estrogen-mimicking compounds in the aquatic environment are known to cause negative impacts to both ecosystems and human health. In this initial proof-of-principle study, we developed a novel vertically oriented silicon nanowire (vSiNW) array-based biosensor for low-cost, highly sensitive and selective detection of estrogens. The vSiNW arrays were formed using an inexpensive and scalable metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) process. A vSiNW array-based p-n junction diode (vSiNW-diode) transducer design for the biosensor was used and functionalized via 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-based silane chemistry to bond estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α) to the surface of the vSiNWs. Following receptor conjugation, the biosensors were exposed to increasing concentrations of estra2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Dec2025-04-04T21:54:50.079Z2025-04-04T21:54:50.079ZS-EPMC97744033657018210.1021/acsomega.1c00210