Applications of Biosensors

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This article throws light upon the four applications of biosensors. The four applications are:
(1) Applications in Medicine and Health (2) Applications in Industry (3) Applications in
Pollution Control and (4) Applications in Military.

Object 1

Biosensors have become very popular in recent years. They are widely used in various fields.
Biosensors are small in size and can be easily handled. They are specific and sensitive, and work in
a cost-effective manner. The tentative market share of biosensor applications is given in Table 21.9.
Some of the important applications of biosensors are broadly described hereunder.

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1. Applications in Medicine and Health:

Biosensors are successfully used for the quantitative estimation of several biologically important
substances in body fluids e.g. glucose, cholesterol, urea. Glucose biosensor is a boon for diabetic
patients for regular monitoring of blood glucose. Blood gas monitoring for pH, pCO2 and pO2 is
carried out during critical care and surgical monitoring of patients. Mutagenicity of several
chemicals can be determined by using biosensors. Several toxic compounds produced in the body
can also be detected.
2. Applications in Industry:
Biosensors can be used for monitoring of fermentation products and estimation of various ions.
Thus, biosensors help for improving the fermentation conditions for a better yield. Now a days,
biosensors are employed to measure the odour and freshness of foods. For instance, freshness of
stored fish can be detected by ATPase. ATP is not found in spoiled fish and this can be detected by
using ATPase. One pharmaceutical company has developed immobilized cholesterol oxidase system
for measurement of cholesterol concentration in foods (e.g. butter).
3. Applications in Pollution Control:
Biosensors are very helpful to monitor environmental (air, water) pollution. The concentrations of
pesticides and the biological oxygen demand (BOD) can be measured by biosensors. Several
environmental pollutants can be evaluated for their mutagenicity by employing biosensors.

4. Applications in Military:
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Biosensors have been developed to detect the toxic gases and other chemical agents used during
war.

Biosensors
1. 1. BIOSENSORS BY, A. POOJA SHUKLA M. Tech (I yr) 1821310006 SRM
UNIVERSITY
2. 2. WHAT IS 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.
3. 3. Nanosensors are any biological, chemical, or surgical sensory points used to convey
information about nanoparticles to the macroscopic world. medicinal purposes
nanoproducts, such as computer chips that work at the nanoscale and nanorobots. WHAT IS
NANO - SENSOR??
4. 4. WHAT IS BIO - SENSOR?? A biosensor is an analytical device, used for the detection
of an analyte, that combines a biological component with a physicochemical detector.
5. 5. Father of the Biosensor Professor Leland C Clark Jnr 19182005 A device
incorporating a biological sensing element either intimately connected to or integrated
within a transducer. Recognition based on affinity between complementary structures
like: enzyme-substrate, antibody-antigen and receptor-hormone complex. Selectivity
and specificity depend on biological recognition systems connected to a suitable transducer.
BIO - SENSOR??
6. 6. 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. BIO - SENSOR??
7. 7. Basic priciple of biosensor involved in three element :- First biological recognization
element which highly specific towards the biological material analytes produces. Second
transducesrs detect and transduces signal from biological target - receptor molecule to
electrical signal which is due to reaction occur. Third after transduction sinal 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 . BASIC PRINCIPLE OF BIOSENSOR
8. 8. BASIC PRINCIPLE OF BIOSENSOR
9. 9. 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 electronic 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 then converts the product
linked changes into electrical signals which can be amplified and measured BASIC
PRINCIPLE OF BIOSENSOR
10.10. Detector COMPONENTS OF BIOSENSOR
11.11. Microorganism Tissue Cell Organelle Nucleic Acid Enzyme Enzyme Component
Receptor Antibody The component used to bind the target molecule. Must be highly
specific, stable under storage conditions, and immobilized. 1st COMPONENT
BIOLOGICAL ELEMENT
12.12. Function To interact specifically with a target compound i.e. the compound to be

detected. It must be capable of detecting the presence of a target compound in the test
solution. The ability of a bio-element to interact specifically with target compound
(specificity) is the basis for biosensor. 1st COMPONENT BIOLOGICAL ELEMENT
13.13. Acts as an interface, measuring the physical change that occurs with the reaction at the
bioreceptor then transforming that energy into measurable electrical output. 2nd
COMPONENT PHYSIOCHEMICAL TRANSDUCER
14.14. Signals from the transducer are passed to a microprocessor where they are amplified and
analyzed. The data is then converted to concentration units and transferred to a display
or/and data storage device. 3rd COMPONENT DETECTOR
15.15. PRINCIPLE OF DETECTION PIEZOELECTRIC Measures change in mass
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL Measures change in electric distribution OPTICAL Measures
change in light intensity CALORIMETRIC Measures change in heat
16.16. a- Bio-element b- Transducer Figure. Schematic Diagram of Biosensor c- Amplifier dProcessor e- Display WORKING OF BIOSENSOR
17.17. Biosensors basically involve the quantitative analysis of various substances by
converting their biological actions into measurable signals. Generally the performance of
the biosensors is mostly dependent on the specificity and sensitivity of the biological
reaction, besides the stability of the enzyme. HOW DOES THEY WORK??
18.18. Analyte Sample handling/preparation Detection Signal Analysis Response HOW DOES
THEY WORK??
19.19. The output signal must be relevant to measurement environment. The functional
surface must be compatible with the transducer. High specificity and selectivity (low
interference). Sufficient sensitivity and resolution . IDEAL BIOSENSOR
20.20. Sufficient accuracy and repeatability Sufficient speed of response Sufficient
dynamic range. Insensitivity to environmental interference or their effects must be
compensated IDEAL BIOSENSOR
21.21. 1. LINEARITY - Linearity of the sensor should be high for the detection of high
substrate concentration. 2. SENSITIVITY - Value of the electrode response per substrate
concentration. 3. SELECTIVITY - Chemicals Interference must be minimised for obtaining
the correct result. 4. RESPONSE TIME - Time necessary for having 95% of the response.
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOSENSOR
22.22. BIOSENSOR TECHNOLOGY
23.23. Based on bioreceptors Enzyme biosensor Microbial biosensor Affinity biosensor
Based on transducer Potentiometric Amperometric conductometric Optical Acoustic or
piezoelectric etc. TYPES OF BIOSENSOR
24.24. Colorimetric for color: Measure change in light adsorption as reactants are converted
to products. Photometric for light intensity: Photon output for a luminescent or fluorescent
process can be detected with photomultiplier tubes or photodiode systems. OPTICAL
BIOSENSORS
25.25. If the enzyme catalyzed reaction is exothermic, two thermistors may be used to measure
the difference in resistance between reactant and product and hence the analyte
concentration. CALORIMETRIC BIOSENSORS
26.26. For voltage: Change in distribution of charge is detected using ion-selective electrodes,
such as pH- meters. POTENTIOMETRIC BIOSENSORS
27.27. The change in frequency is proportional to the mass of absorbed material. Piezo-electric
devices use gold to detect the specific angle at which electron waves are emitted when the
substance is exposed to laser light or crystals, such as quartz, which vibrate under the
influence of an electric field. PIEZO - ELECTRIC BIOSENSORS
28.28. Principle Many chemical reactions produce or consume ions or electrons which in
turn cause some change in the electrical properties of the solution which can be sensed out
and used as measuring parameter. Classification (1) Amperometric biosensor (2)
Conductimetric biosensor (3) Potentiometric biosensor ELECTROCHEMICAL

BIOSENSORS
29.29. Amperometric for applied current: Movement of e- in redox reactions detected when a
potential is applied between two electrodes. Potentiometric for voltage: Change in
distribution of charge is detected using ion-selective electrodes, such as pH-meters.
Conductimetric for impedance ELECTROCHEMICAL BIOSENSORS
30.30. Measuring parameter : Electric current Based on oxidase enzymes that generate
H2O2 and consume oxygen. Formation of H2O2 can be detected by the help of Ptelectrode. AMPEROMETRIC BIOSENSORS
31.31. Glucose reacts with glucose oxidase(GOD) to form gluconic acid. Two electrons &
two protons are also produced. Glucose mediator reacts with surrounding oxygen to form
H2O2 and GOD. Now this GOD can reacts with more glucose. Higher the glucose
content, higher the oxygen consumption. Glucose content can be detected by Ptelectrode. GLUCOSE BIOSENSORS
32.32. Steps involved in electrochemical DNA hybridization biosensors: Formation of
the DNA recognition layer Actual hybridization event Transformation of the
hybridization event into an electrical signal ELECTROCHEMICAL DNA BIOSENSORS
33.33. Motivated by the application to clinical diagnosis and genome mutation detection
Electrodes Chips Crystals DNA BIOSENSORS TYPES
34.34. Pregnancy test - Detects the hCG protein in urine. EXAMPLE OF BIOSENSOR
35.35. Glucose monitoring device (for diabetes patients) Monitors the glucose level in the
blood. EXAMPLE OF BIOSENSOR
36.36. BIOSENSORS AT NANOSCALE
37.37. WHAT IS NANO BIOSENSOR?? Comparison of nano-rangeNano - very small
Includes many fields Its the Miniatured Biology Nanotechnology- manipulating matter at
nanoscale. BIO-SENSOR AT NANOSCALE
38.38. Nanoparticles have novel property. Integration of material science, molecular
engineering, chemistry and biotechnology. Improve the sensitivity and specificity of
biomolecule detection Efficient biomolecular recognition, pathogenic diagnosis and
environment monitoring. WHY NANO BIOSENSOR??
39.39. PROPERTIES PARTICLES USED Gold nanoparticle Carbon Nanotubes
Magnetic particles Quantum dots Unique physical chemical, mechanical, magnetic
and optical properties, markedly enhance the sensitivity and specificity of detection.
NANOPARTICLES??
40.40. Allows the placement of small structures with precision, simplicity and low cost.
Small particles high efficiency Leads to economic growth Enhances national security
Improves the quality of life Job oppurtunities NEED FOR NANOPARTICLES??
41.41. Material Medical Stronger End of Illnesses (i.e. cancer, heart disease) Lighter
Universal Immunity (i.e. aids, flu) Cheaper Body Sculpting (i.e. change your appearance)
Durable Precise ADVANTAGE OF USING NANOPARTICLES??
42.42. Dr. Michael Strano at the University of Illinois, "We have developed molecular sheaths
around the nanotube that respond to a particular chemical and modulate the nanotube's
optical properties." CURRENT RESEARCH SPOT-NOSED Project: A layer of olfactory
proteins on a nanoelectrode could react with low-concentration odorants. This technology
could be used by doctors to diagnose diseases at earlier stages.
43.43. Nanosphere lithography (NSL) derived triangular Ag nanoparticles were used to detect
streptavidin down to one picomolar concentrations. CURRENT RESEARCH The School of
Biomedical Engineering has developed an anti-body based piezoelectric nanobiosensor to be
used for anthrax, HIV hepatitis detection.
44.44. Food Analysis Study of biomolecules and their interaction Drug Development
Crime detection Medical diagnosis (both clinical and laboratory use)
Environmental field monitoring Quality control Industrial Process Control
Detection systems for biological warfare agents Manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and

replacement organs APPLICATIONS OF BIOSENSORS

45.45. NANO-NOSE: Food quality check using nanoparticles. Detection of various
protein. For detection of diseases. Various proteins are sensed out in body fluids.
Advantage: Highly sensitive 96% accuracy Quick detection APPLICATIONS AT
NANOSCALE
46.46. Biological Applications DNA Sensors: Genetic monitoring, disease diagnosis
Immunosensors: HIV, Hepatitis, other viral diseases drug testing, environmental
monitoring CURRENT APPLICATIONS
47.47. Biological Application Cell-based Sensors: functional sensors, drug testing Point-ofcare sensors: blood, urine, electrolytes, gases, steroids,drugs, hormones, proteins, other
CURRENT APPLICATIONS
48.48. Biological Applications Bacteria Sensors: (E-coli, streptococcus, other): food
industry,medicine, environmental, other. Enzyme sensors: diabetics, drug testing, other.
CURRENT APPLICATIONS
49.49. Health and safety issues Nanoparticles can cause serious illness or damage human
body. Untraceable destructive weapons of mass destruction. Social & Political issues
Advisability of increasing scope of the technology creates political dilemma Creates
social strife through increasing wealth gap Loss of jobs (in manufacturing, farming, etc)
Carbon Nanotubes could cause infection of lungs Oil & Diamonds could become
worthless DISADVANTAGES
50.50. Examples of Future Use of NT Electronic Paper Nokia Morph Contact Lens
FUTURE OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
51.51. FUTURE OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY

Biosensor ppt
1. 1. 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
2. 2. 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.
3. 3. Father of Biosensors Leland C. Clark invented the Clark Oxygen Electrode, a pivotal
device that allows real-time monitoring of patients blood oxygen levels and has made
surgery Safer and more successful for millions around the world
4. 4. COMPONENTS Detector
5. 5. ELEMENTS OF BIOSENSORS
6. 6. BIOSENSOR Analyte Sample handling/preparation Detection Signal Analysis Response
7. 7. THE ANALYTE (What do you want to detect?) Molecule Protein, toxin, peptide, vitamin,
sugar, metal ion Cholera toxin Glucose
8. 8. SAMPLE HANDLING (How to deliver the Analyte to the Sensitive Region?) (Micro)
fluidics Concentration (increase/decrease) Filtration/selection
9. 9. DETECTION/RECOGNITION (How do you specifically recognize the analyte?)
Antibody Enzyme Active site Fc Cell Membrane receptors Polymer/Hydrogel Competitive
binding Fab
10.10. SIGNAL (How do you know there was a detection?) 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.) Specific recognition?
11.11. 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.
12.12. 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.
13.13. 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.
14.14. 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.
15.15. TYPES Calorimetric/Thermal Detection Biosensors. Optical Biosensors.
Resonant Biosensors. Piezoelectric Biosensors. Ion Sensitive Biosensors.
Electrochemical Biosensors. Conductimetric Sensors. Amperometric Sensors.
Potentiometric Sensors.
16.16. Calorimetric / Thermal Detection Biosensors. Uses Absorption / Production of
Heat. Total heat produced/absorbed is 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.
17.17. 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.
18.18. Piezoelectric Biosensors. Uses Gold - To detect specific angle at which 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 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.
19.19. Electrochemical Biosensors. Underlying Principle Many chem.rns produce or
consume ions or s 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.
20.20. 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.
21.21. 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.

22.22. APPLICATIONS
23.23. 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.
24.24. 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
25.25. The DNA capture element instrument- for hereditary diseases Glucometer- for
measurement of glucose in blood.
26.26. Pregnancy Test. Detects the hCG protein in urine. Interpretation and data analysis
performed by the user. Infectious Disease Biosensor. Data analysis and interpretation
performed by a microprocessor.
27.27. Old time coal miners Biosensor Data analysis and interpretation performed by the coal
miner. Biacore Biosensor platform. General and flexible, good tool for development of
specific biosensors.
28.28. BIOSENSOR FOR DETECTION OF POLLUTION & OF THE CHEMICALS
PRESENT IN THE ENVIRONMENT