Basic Biosensor Instrumentation

A biosensor is made up of two parts: 1. 2. Physical component: Transducer, amplifier, display unit, etc. Biological component: Enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acids, etc.

Figure 6 Block diagram of a biosensor.

Engineering Chemistry Copyright 2013 Wiley India Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Components of a Biosensor

Detector

Types of Biosensors
Based on the type of physical change produced, the biosensors are of following types:

1.
2. 3. 4. 5.

Potentiometric biosensors: Measure the electrical potential.

Calorimetric biosensors: Measure the heat released or absorbed by a reaction. Optical biosensors: Measure the light produced or absorbed during the reaction. Acoustic wave biosensors: Measure the change in the mass of the biological material during the reaction. Amperometric biosensors: Measure the movement of electron during an oxidation-reduction reaction.

Engineering Chemistry Copyright 2013 Wiley India Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.

RECOGNITION
How do you specifically recognize the analyte?

Complementary DNA Antigen

Other: enzyme/substrate PNA/DNA or PNA/RNA

Antibody

DNA

Bioreceptors

Antibody

Antibodies are biological molecules that exhibit very specific binding capabilities for specific structure (antigens).

membrane

Antigen

It can be recognized by antibody.

Bioreceptors

Bioreceptor

Display

Bioreceptors
Enzyme

Enzyme is a large protein molecule that acts as a catalyst in chemical reactions. Enzymes are often chosen as bioreceptors based on their specific binding capabilities as well as their catalytic activity

Bioreceptors

Bioreceptor

Display

Bioreceptors

DNA structure
Another biorecognition mechanism involves hybridization of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA), which are the building blocks of genetics.

Four chemical bases: adenine(A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T)

Bioreceptors

Bioreceptor

Display

Bioreceptors

Living Cell

Nourishment Product

Bioreceptors

Bioreceptor

Display

Immobilizatiom
The immobilization is done either by physical entrapment or chemical attachment.

Physical Entrapment
Bioreceptor (Antibody, Enzyme, Cell, ) + polymer solution polymerization

Adsorption
adsorptive interactions such as ionic, polar or hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction.

Example of biosensors
Pregnancy test
Detects the hCG protein in urine.

Glucose monitoring device (for diabetes patients)

Monitors the glucose level in the blood.

Example of biosensors
Infectous disease biosensor

Old time coal miners biosensor