UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF SCIENCES

Academic Unit V
Bachelor of Engineering
(Computer Science & Engineering)
Biology For Engineers

Biosensors, principle and its types

DISCOVER . LEARN . EMPOWER
 Course Outcome
CO
Title Level
Number
Identify the biological concepts from an Remember
CO1
engineering perspective.
Development of artificial systems mimicking Understand
CO2
human action.
Explain the basic of genetics that helps to identify
CO3 Understand
and formulate problems

Apply knowledge of measurement system,

biomedical recording system and biosensors to Understand
CO4
excel in areas such as entrepreneurship,
medicine, government, and education.
Will be covered in this lecture
Integrate biological principles for developing next
CO5
generation technologies https://images.app.goo.gl/5obqqxo93P2UBmdU6
 SYLLABUS
Unit-2 Biosensors and measurement system Contact Hours: 15
Chapter 1 Medical Instrumentation: Sources of biomedical Signals, Basic medical
Medical Instrumentation system, Performance requirements of medical Instrumentation
Instrumentation System, Microprocessors in Medical instruments, PC base medical Instruments,
General constraints in the design of medical Instrumentation system, Regulation
of Medical Devices.
Chapter 2 Measurement System: Specification of instruments, Statics & Dynamic
Measurement characteristics of medical instruments, Classification of errors. Statistical analysis,
Reliability, Accuracy, Fidelity, Speed of responses, Linearization of technique, and
System Data Acquisition System.
Biological sensors: Sensors/ receptors in the human body, basic organization of
Chapter 3 the nervous system- neural mechanism, Chemoreceptor: hot and cold receptors,
sensors for smell, sound, vision, Ion exchange membrane electrodes, enzyme,
Biological glucose sensors, immunosensors, & biosensors & applications of biosensors.
Sensor
Introduction of
Biosensors

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Sensor

• A sensor is a converter that measures a physical quantity and

converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by
an instrument.

Transducer

• A device that is capable of converting the physical quantity into a

proportional electrical quantity such as voltage or current.

Biosensor

• A sensor that integrates a biological element with a

physiochemical transducer to produce an electronic signal
proportional to a single analyte which is then conveyed to a
detector. 5
 Biosensor
• A biosensor is an analytical device, used for
the detection of an analyte, that combines a
biological component with a
physicochemical detector.
• A biosensor is an analytical device containing
an immobilized biological material
(enzyme, antibody, nucleic acid, hormone,
organelle or whole cell) which can
specifically interact with an analyte and
produce physical, chemical or electrical
signals that can be measured.
• An analyte is a compound (e.g. glucose, urea,
drug, pesticide) whose concentration has to
be measured.
• For instance, glucose is an 'analyte' in a 6
biosensor designed to detect glucose.
 Biosensor
• It is an analytical device which
converts a biological response
into an electrical signal.
• It detects, records, and
transmits information
regarding a physiological
change or process.
• It determines the presence
and concentration of a specific
substance in any test solution.
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 GENERAL FEATURES OF BIOSENSOR
• Biosensors are devices comprising a
biological element and a
physiochemical detector that are used
to detect analytes.

• A biosensor has two components

1. Biological component: Enzyme, cell
etc.
2. Physical component: Transducer,
amplifier etc.
• Biological component (Enzyme, cell
etc.) recognizes and interacts with the
analyte to produce a physical change (a
signal) that can be detected, by the 8
transducer.
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 Basic Principle of Biosensor
• Basic principle of biosensor involved in three element :
1. Biological recognition element which highly specific
towards the biological material analytes produces.
2. Transducers detect and transduces signal from biological
target - receptor molecule to electrical signal which is due to
reaction occur.
3. After transduction, signal from biological to electrical signal
where its amplification is necessary and takes place and read
out in detector after processing the values are displayed
for monitor and controlling the system.

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 Working Principle of Biosensor
• The biological material is immobilized and a contact is made
between the immobilized biological material and the
transducer
• The analyte binds to the biological material to form a bound
analyte which in turn produces the biological response that
can be measured.
• Sometimes the analyte is converted to a product which could
be associated with the release of heat, gas (oxygen), electrons
or hydrogen ions.
• The transducer measures this interaction and outputs a signal.
• The intensity of the signal output is proportional to the
concentration of the analyte.
• The transducer then converts the product linked changes
into electrical signals which can be amplified and measured
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by the electronic system.
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 THE ANALYTE
A substance of interest that needs detection

Chemical substance Biological constituent

Glucose Protein

Ammonia Toxin

Alcohol Peptide

Lactose Vitamin

Metal ion Antibody

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 BIORECEPTOR
(Biological Element)
The component used to bind the target
molecule

Must be highly specific, stable under storage

conditions, and immobilized
• Microorganism
• Tissue
• Cell
• Organelle
• Nucleic acid
• Enzyme
• Enzyme component
• Receptor
• Antibody 14
Types of biosensors

Based on Transducer
1. Ion-sensitive biosensor
2. Calorimetric/Thermometric Biosensor
3. Electrochemical Biosensor
• Amperometric Biosensors
• Potentiometric Biosensors
• Impedimetric Biosensors
4. Wearable Biosensors

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 Ion Sensitive Biosensor
• These are semiconductor FETs having an ion-sensitive surface.
• The surface electrical potential changes when the ions and semiconductors interact.
• This change in the potential can be subsequently measured.

• The Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistor (ISFET)

can be constructed by covering the sensor
electrode with a polymer layer.
• This polymer layer is selectively permeable to
analyte ions.
• The ions diffuse through the polymer layer and in
return cause a change in the FET surface
potential.
• This type of biosensor is also called an ENFET
(Enzyme Field Effect Transistor) and is primarily
used for pH detection. 16
 Calorimetric/Thermometric Biosensor
The output transduced signal that is measured as absorption or production of heat.
• Temperature is measured by Thermistors.
• If the enzyme catalyzed rection is exothermic, two thermistors may be used to
measure the difference in resistance between reactant and product and hence the
analyte concentration.
• The reaction takes place in a small enzyme packed bed reactor.
• As the substrate enters the bed, it gets converted to a product and heat is
generated.
• Advantages:
• No need of frequent recalibration
• Insensitive to the optical and electrochemical properties of the sample.
• Uses:
• Detection of : Pesticides and Pathogenic bacteria
• e.g: When cholesterol gets oxidized by the enzyme cholesterol oxidase, heat is
generated which can be measured. 17
 Electrochemical Biosensor
Many chemical reactions produce or consume ions or causing some change in the
electrical properties of the solution that can be sensed out & used as a measuring
parameter.

Generally, the electrochemical biosensor is based on the reaction of enzymatic

catalysis that consumes or generates electrons.
• Such types of rection are called Redox reactions
• Electrochemical biosensors are classified into three types:
• Amperometric Biosensors
• Potentiometric Biosensors
• Impedimetric Biosensors

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 Amperometric Biosensor
Amperometric for applied current: Movement of e- in redox reactions detected
when a potential is applied between two electrodes.

• These biosensors are based on the movement of electrons (i.e. determination

of electric current) as a result of enzyme-catalysed redox reactions.
• Normally, a constant voltage passes between the electrodes which can be
determined.
• Generally, these Biosensors have reaction times, energetic ranges &
sensitivities comparable to the Potentiometric-biosensors.
• The simple amperometric biosensor infrequent usage includes the “Clark
oxygen electrode”.
• In other words, Amperometric biosensors measure the electric current
associated with electron flow resulting from redox reactions
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 Potentiometric Biosensor
Potentiometric for voltage: Change in distribution of charge is
detected using ion-selective electrodes.
• This type of biosensor provides a logarithmic reply by means of a
high energetic range.
• They comprise two electrodes that are enormously responsive and
strong.
• Potentiometric biosensors use ion selective electrodes to
determine changes in the concentration of chosen ions.
• For example pH meters.
• These changes might be credited to ionic force, hydration, pH, and
redox responses, the latter as the label of enzyme rotating above a
substrate.
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 Impedimetric Biosensor
This type of biosensors is measures the conductance of
Impedance.
• The EIS (Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) is a responsive
indicator for a broad range of physical as well as chemical
properties.
• A rising trend towards the expansion of Impedimetric biosensors is
being presently observed.
• The techniques of Impedimetric have been executed to differentiate
the invention of the biosensors as well as to examine the catalyzed
responses of enzymes lectins, nucleic acids, receptors, whole cells,
and antibodies.
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 Wearable Biosensors
• The wearable biosensor is a digital device, used to wear
on the human body in different wearable systems like
smart watches, smart shirts, tattoos which allows the
levels of blood glucose, Blood Pressure, the rate of
heartbeat,
• For the human beings, these sensors may assist in
premature recognition of health actions and prevention of
hospitalization.
• The possibility of these sensors to reduce hospital stays
and readmissions will definitely attract positive
awareness in the upcoming future.
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 Enzyme Biosensors
• An enzyme biosensor is an analytical device that combines an enzyme
with a transducer to produce a signal proportional to target analyte
concentration.
• Because of their specificity and catalytic (amplification) properties,
enzymes have found widespread use as sensing elements in biosensors.
• An enzymatic biosensor comprises of an enzyme, which recognizes and
then reacts with the target analyte producing a chemical signal, a
transducer, which produces a physical signal out of that chemical one,
and an electronic amplifier, which conditions and then amplifies the signal.

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 Glucose Sensors
• Glucose sensors are biosensors designed to detect glucose
levels, which is vital to managing diabetes. It is a good example
of amperometric biosensors.
• Whether in the form of a test strip for a blood glucose meter
or a sensor for a continuous glucose monitor, the detection
and measurement of glucose levels are similar processes.
• For a glucose biosensor, the following components are used:
• Analyte: Glucose is the analyte that the biosensor is
designed to detect.
• Bioreceptor: The test strip for a blood glucose test contains
the enzyme that interacts with the analyte in the drop of
blood.
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Glucose Sensors

• Transducer: Most modern-day glucose meters and

continuous glucose monitors measure electrical signals,
although earlier generations of glucose meters used a
colorimetric process (color change) that was measured
optically.
• Electronics and display: The processed signals are then
quantified and shown on either the glucose meter’s
display or the receiver for a continuous glucose monitor
(or compatible app).
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Home blood glucose detection sensor works on the
principle of electrochemical.

• The biosensor in this instrument relies upon

enzymes that recognize and catalyze reactions of
glucose with the generation of redox – active species
that are detected electrochemically.
• Glucose reacts with glucose oxidase to form
gluconic acid.
• Two electrons and two protons are also produced.
• Glucose mediator reacts with surrounding oxygen
to form H2O2 and glucose oxidase.
• Now this glucose oxidase react with more glucose.
• Higher the glucose content, the higher the oxygen
consumption.
• Glucose content can be detected by Pt-electrode.
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 Immunosensors
• Immunosensors are affinity ligand-based biosensing devices that
involve the coupling of immunochemical reactions to appropriate
transducers.
• Immuno-biosensors or immunochemical bio­sensors work on the
principle of immunological specificity, coupled with measurement
(mostly) based on amperometric or potentiometric bio­sensors.
• Immunosensors use antibodies as the recognition element and
a transducer that converts the antibody–antigen binding event to a
measurable physical signal.
• Depending on the type of transducer there are four types of
immunosensor: electrochemical, optical, microgravimetric and
thermometric.
• The most commonly used bio-elements for the development of
electrochemical immunosensors are antibodies (Ab), followed by
aptamers (Apt) and, microRNA (miRNA). 28
Analyte: Antigen
• Antigen is a substrate that stimulates the
immune system to produce antibodies.

Bioreceptor: Antibody
• Antibodies are Y- shaped proteins formed
in response to any foreign
substance known as an antigen
• Sometimes aptamers (Apt) and, microRNA
(miRNA) can be used.

Transducer:
• Electrochemical, optical, microgravimetric
and thermometric
• Mostly amperometric or potentiometric bio­
sensors

Electronics and display:

• The processed signals are then quantified
and shown on display
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 Applications of Biosensors

• Biosensor devices include a biological

element as well as a physiochemical detector
and the main function of this device is to
detect analytes.
• So, the applications of biosensors are in a
wide range.
• These devices are applicable in the medical,
food industry, the marine sector as they offer
good sensitivity & stability as compared with
the usual techniques.
• In recent years, these sensors have become
very popular, and they are applicable in
different fields.
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 Applications of Biosensors
• Some examples of the fields that use biosensor technology include:
• General healthcare monitoring
• Medical Diagnosis
• Metabolites Measurement
• Screening for disease
• Clinical analysis and diagnosis of disease
• Drug development and improvement
• Veterinary and agricultural applications
• Industrial processing and monitoring
• Environmental pollution control
• Study & Interaction of Biomolecules
• Detection of Crime
• Quality Control
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 Common Applications of Biosensors
• Biosensors are used in the food industry to measure
carbohydrates, alcohols and acids, for example, during
quality control processes.
• The devices may also be used to check fermentation
during the production of beer, yoghurt and soft drinks.
• Another important application is their use in detecting
pathogens in fresh meat, poultry or fish.
• Biosensors are used to check the quality of air and water.
• The devices can be used to pick up traces of
organophosphates from pesticides or to check the toxicity
levels of wastewater
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 Conclusion
• A biosensor is universally defined as “a self-contained analytical
device that combines a biological component with a physicochemical
device for the detection of an analyte of biological importance”.
• It consists of a biological recognition element which is able to
specifically interact with a target molecule and a transducer able to
convert this interaction into a measurable signal.
• These instruments have a wide range of applications ranging from
clinical through to environmental and agricultural. The devices are
also used in the food industry.
• Biosensors can provide cost-effective, easy-to-use, sensitive and
highly accurate detection devices in a variety of research and
commercial applications.
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 REFERENCES

• C.B.Powar, 2010.Cell Biology.5th Ed,Himalyan Publishing House.

• Leshie Cromwell, Fred.J. Weibell and Erich.A.Pfeiffer. 2003. Biomedical
instrumentation and measurements. 2nd edition, PHI.
• John G. Webster 1998. Medical Instrumentation: Applications and Design, 3rd
edition, Jon Wiley and Sons, New York.
• Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko and Lubert Stryer. 2006. “Biochemistry,”
6th Ed. W.H. Freeman and Co. Ltd.
• Robert Weaver. 2012 “Molecular Biology,” 5th Edition, MCGraw-Hill.
• Jon Cooper, , 2004. “Biosensors A Practical Approach” Bellwether Books.
• Martin Alexander, 1994 “Biodegradation and Bioremediation,” Academic
Press.
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THANK YOU