Main description:

Today, biosensors are broadly applied in research, clinical diagnosis and monitoring, as well as in pharmaceutical, environmental or food analysis. In this work, the author presents the essentials that advanced students and researchers need to know in order to make full use of this technology. This includes a description of biochemical recognition
elements, such as enzymes, antibodies, aptamers or even whole cells. Various signal transducers such as electrochemical and optical transducers, luminescence devices and advanced techniques such as quartz crystal microbalances and MEMS systems are covered as well. Current applications are introduced through various case studies, rounded out by a forward-looking chapter on the prospects for biosensor development offered by nanotechnology, lab-on-a-chip, and biomimetic systems.

Contents:

Introduction and Historic Overview.- Biochemical Components Used in Biosensor Assemblies: Enzymes.- Antibodies.- Protein / Peptide Receptors.- Nucleic Acids.- Whole Cells as Biosensing Elements.- Immobilization of Biochemical Elements of Biosensors.- Biosensor Signal Transducers: Electrochemical Transducers.- Optical Transducers.- Other Techniques.- How does it Work? - Case Studies.- Biosensors Prospects: Quo vadis? (Conclusion).