BIO

SENSOR
S
 DEFINITION
Self-contained integrated device that is capable of providing specific
qualitative or semi-quantitative analytical information using a biological
recognition element which is in direct-spatial contact with a transduction
element. (IUPAC,1998)

1)Biosensor ≠ Bioanalytical System

2)An Enzyme Electrode is a Biosensor
 CURRENT DEFINITION
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.
Father of Biosensors Leland C. Clark invented the Clark Oxygen Electrode, a
pivotal device that allows real-time monitoring of patient’s blood oxygen levels and
has made surgery Safer and more successful for millions around the world
COMPONENTS

Detector
ELEMENTS OF BIOSENSORS
 BIOSENSOR

Analyte
Response

Detection
Signal
Analysis Sample
handling/preparation
 THE ANALYTE
(What do you want to detect?)
Molecule
Protein, toxin, peptide, vitamin, sugar, metal ion

Cholera toxin Glucose

 SAMPLE HANDLING
(How to deliver the Analyte to the Sensitive Region?)
•(Micro) fluidics
•Concentration (increase/decrease)
•Filtration/selection
 DETECTION/RECOGNITION
(How do you specifically recognize the analyte?)
Fab

Active site Membrane receptors

Competitive binding

Fc
Antibody Enzyme Cell Polymer/Hydrogel
 SIGNAL
(How do you know there was a detection?)

Specific recognition? Common Signaling Principles

● Optical(SPR,ELM,IR).
● Electrical(Voltametry,Potentiometry,
Conductivity).
● Electromechanical(QCM).
● Thermal.
● Magnetic.
● Pressure.

Often the detector is immobilized on a solid support/sensor.

(The immobilisation permits repeated use of the costly Biological Molecule.)
 WORKING PRINCIPLE
Analyte diffuses from the solution to the surface of the
Biosensor.
Analyte reacts specifically & efficiently with the Biological
Component of the Biosensor.
This reaction changes the physicochmical properties of the
Transducer surface.
This leads to a change in the optical/electronic properties of the
Transducer Surface.
The change in the optical/electronic properties is
measured/converted into electrical signal, which is detected.
 BASIC CHARACTERESTICS

 LINEARITY : Should be High – For the detection of High

Substrate Concentration.
 SENSITIVITY : Value of Electrode Response per Substrate
Concentration.
 SELECTIVITY : Chemical Interference must be minimized
for obtaining Correct Result.
 RESPONSE TIME :Time necessary for having 95% of the
Response.
 ADVANTAGES

Highly Specific.
Independent of Factors like stirring, pH, etc.
Linear response, Tiny & Biocompatible.
Easy to Use, Durable.
Require only Small Sample Volume.
Rapid, Accurate, Stable & Sterilizable.
TYPICAL SENSING TECHNIQUES

 Fluorescence.
 DNA Microarray.
 SPR (Surface Plasma Resistance).
 Impedance Spectroscopy.
 SPM (Scanning Probe Microscopy, AFM, STM).
 QCM (Quartz Crystal Microbalance).
 SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy).
 Electrochemical.
 TYPES
 Calorimetric/Thermal Detection Biosensors.
 Optical Biosensors.
 Resonant Biosensors.
 Piezoelectric Biosensors.
 Ion Sensitive Biosensors.
 Electrochemical Biosensors.
 Conductimetric Sensors.
 Amperometric Sensors.
 Potentiometric Sensors.
 Calorimetric / Thermal Detection Biosensors.
 Uses Absorption / Production of Heat.
 Total heat produced/absorbed is ᾶ Molar
Enthalpy/Total No. of molecules in the rn.
 Temp. measured by Enzyme Thermistors.
Advantages:
• No need of Frequent recalibration.
• Insensitive to the Optical & Electrochemical
Properties of the sample.
Uses:
Detection of: (1) Pesticides .
(2) Pathogenic Bacteria.
 Optical Biosensors.
 Colorimetric for colour - Measures change in
Light Adsorption.
 Photometric for Light Intensity - Detects the
Photon output.

 Resonant Biosensors.
 An Acoustic Wave Transducer is coupled with
Bioelement.
 Measures the change in Resonant Frequency.
 Piezoelectric Biosensors.
 Uses Gold - To detect specific angle at which ȇ waves
are emitted when the substance is exposed to laser
light/crystals like quartz, which vibrates under the
influence of an electric field.
 Change in Frequency ᾶ Mass of Absorbed material.
 Ion Sensitive Biosensors.
 Are semiconductor FETs with ion-sensitive surface.
 Surface Electrical Potential changes when the ions &
semiconductors interact.
 Measures the Change in Potential.
Uses:
o pH Detection.
 Electrochemical Biosensors.
Underlying Principle – Many chem.rns produce or
consume ions or ȇs causing some change in the
elctrical properties of the solution that can be sensed
out & used as a measuring parameter.
Uses:
Detection of :
o Hybridized DNA
o DNA- binding Drugs &
o Glucose Concentration.
 Conductimetric Sensors.
 Measures Electrical Conductance/Resistance of the
solution.
  Conductance Measurements have relatively Low
Sensitivity.
 Electrical Field is generated using sinusoidal(ac)
voltage, which helps in minimizing undesirable effects
like:
i. Faradaic processes.
ii. Double layer charging &
iii. Concentration polarization.

 Amperometric Biosensors.
 High Sensitivity Biosensor.
 Detects electroactive species present in the
biological test samples.
 Measured Parameter – Current.
 Potentiometric Sensors.
 Working Principle – When ramp voltage is
applied to an electrode in solution, a current flow
occurs because of electrochemical reactions.
 Measured Parameter – Oxidation / reduction
Potential of an Electrochemical rn.
APPLICATIONS
• Food Analysis.
• Study of Biomolecules & their Interaction.
• Drug Development.
• Crime Detection.
• Medical Diagnosis (Clin&Lab).
• Environmental Field Monitoring.
• Quality Control.
• Industrial Process Control.
• Detection Systems for Biological Warfare Agents.
• Manf. Of Pharmaceuticals & Replacement organs.
 BIOSENSOR FOR AGRICULTURAL & FOOD
INDUSTRY
o Detection of viral, fungal, bacterial diseases of plants.
o In food industry, detection of total microbes & food quantification
in soft drinks.
o To determine the freshness of other fish, beef & other food items.
o Makes Bacteria GLOW by OPTICAL Biosensor
The DNA capture Glucometer- for measurement of
element instrument- for glucose in blood.
hereditary diseases
Pregnancy Test. Infectious Disease Biosensor.
•Detects the hCG protein in urine. •Data analysis and interpretation performed by a
• Interpretation and data analysis microprocessor.
performed by the user.
Old time coal miners’ Biosensor Biacore Biosensor platform.
Data analysis and interpretation performed General and flexible, good tool for
by the coal miner. development of specific biosensors.
BIOSENSOR FOR DETECTION OF POLLUTION &
OF THE CHEMICALS PRESENT IN THE
ENVIRONMENT