National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
www.nnin.org
Copyright Georgia Institute of Technology 2011
Permission granted for printing and copying for local classroom use without modification
Developed by Samantha Andrews
Development and distribution partially funded by the National Science Foundation
Biosensors
NNIN Document: NNIN-1245
Rev: 03/2012
What are biosensors?
• Devices that analyze biological samples to better
understand structure and function and for diagnostics
• Uses for biosensors
–
–
–
–
–
–
Molecule analysis (DNA and proteins)
Food safety
Diagnostics
Medical monitoring
Detection of biological weapons
Rapid analysis and detection
Types of biosensors
•
•
•
•
•
•
Electrochemical
Temperature sensitive
Photosensitive
Pressure sensitive
Motion sensitive
Chemical sensitive
Common biosensors
•
•
•
•
Blood glucose monitors
Heart and blood pressure monitors
Pacemakers
HIV and pregnancy tests
History of Biosensors
• First described in 1962 by Dr. Leland Clark
• 1969 a sensor was invented to detect urea
• 1972 the first glucose biosensor
commercialized by Yellow Springs
Instruments
Dr. Leland Clark Jr
“Father of the biosensor”
How biosensors work
Sample (blood, saliva, DNA, proteins)
Biosensors
• Advantages
– Rapid detection
– Small volumes of samples needed
– Can be used by the patient (blood glucose monitor)
• Disadvantages
– Cost
– May require expertise to use
– Sample collection can be painful
Market Size of Biosensors
• $7.3 Billion in 2003
• $10.2 Billion in 2007 with a growth rate of about 10.4%
Closer Look
• Blood glucose monitor
• Lab on a chip
Diabetes
• Metabolic disease characterized by lack of
insulin production (Type I)
• Without insulin, cells cannot use glucose for
energy
• Can be treated by frequent monitoring and
insulin injections
• Death will occur if untreated
Blood glucose monitors
• Used by diabetics to measure blood glucose
concentration
• Helps patients determine their insulin dose
• Uses electrochemistry for detection
How does it work?
• Glucose in the blood and oxygen in the air
reacts with glucose oxidase on the testing strip
to produce gluconic acid
100 mg/dL
• The gluconic acid reacts with ferricyanide
Blood glucoseon
concentration
the testing strip to produce ferrocyanide.
• The ferrocyanide reacts with the electricity
generated by the meter to produce a blood
glucose reading
Glucose test strips
Blood
sample
Lab-on-a-chip
• Micro-size device that is used to manipulate
and analyze
–
–
–
–
–
Cells
Proteins
DNA
Gene expression
Chemical reactions
Lab-on-a-chip devices
•
•
•
•
Reduces the need to have several devices
Uses small sample size
Rapid results
Used for chemical reactions and mixing liquids
Summary
• Biosensors are devices that analyze biological
samples for structure, function, and diagnostics
• Can detect pressure, temperature, and chemical
changes
• Examples include blood glucose monitors, labon-a-chip, and pacemakers
References
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
http://www.etsia.upv.es/Internacional/Seminarios/Curso%2006_07/sesion7/Biosensors.pdf
http://nanohub.org/resources/2261/download/nanobiotechnology%20and%20biosensors.pdf
http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/107772874/VocalPoint_Talking_Blood_Glucose_Meter.jpg
http://effectsofhighbloodpressure.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Blood-Pressure-Monitor-Reviews.jpg
http://www.women-health-info.com/images/pregnancy-test.jpg
http://www.daviddarling.info/images/pacemaker.jpg
Biosensor and Bioelectronics (2006, 21, 1403-1404)
http://www.triadsci.com/pics/2936.jpg
http://eldergadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/300px-blood_glucose_testing-ultra-2.jpg
http://www.jaist.ac.jp/~yokoyama/images/biosensor.gif
http://www.personalcarenow.com/images/1195401227-17482_full.jpg
http://photos.demandstudios.com/25/135/fotolia_3197067_XS.jpg
http://img.directindustry.com/images_di/photo-g/lab-on-a-chip-loc-243049.jpg
http://www.insulinsdirect.com/images/humalog.jpg
http://smmhc.adam.com/graphics/images/en/19914.jpg
http://www.sensorsmag.com/files/sensor/nodes/2010/7640/Figure2_0.gif
http://electrochem.cwru.edu/encycl/art-g01-glucose.htm
http://www.aml.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/research/emulsion/micro_channel_e.html
http://www.valuemedical.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/O/n/One-Touch-Ultra2Blood-Glucose-Monitor_1.jpg
http://www.gene-quantification.de/loab-on-chip.png
http://www.chem.agilent.com/cag/feature/10-00/feature_graphics/04_ProteinLabChip.jpg
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06_01/Injection0406_468x699.jpg