Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
h e possibility of direct electron transfer between enzymes and the
graphene and ZnO nanostructures-based electrode surface, obviating the
need for co-substrates or mediators, and their eco-friendliness, could pave
the way for the development of superior reagentless biosensing devices that
are non-toxic, biosafe, and biocompatible, which could then be employed
for developing implantable biosensors [13, 16].
h e ease of fabrication using low-cost processes, which can yield a wide
range of nanostructures, makes ZnO-based matrices a promising platform
for low-cost biosensors, one of the challenges currently faced when con-
sidering the construction of commercial devices. Moreover, the ability to
grow well-controlled ZnO nanostructures for various bioapplications, and
the capability of integrating them in CMOS and MEMS devices, is pro-
jected to play a critical role in the use of these materials in designing a
new generation of miniaturized, wireless and smart implantable biosens-
ing devices for futuristic telemedicine [13].
Although it is still a challenge, enzyme-based bioassays on these nano-
bioplatforms are also expected to be useful for multianalyte detection,
opening up the possibility of fabricating innovative biosensor arrays with
desired properties for health care.
h e outstanding properties of these nanomaterials suggest that future
interdisciplinary research is likely to lead to a new generation of electro-
chemical biosensors. Researchers are now focusing on understanding the
various biomolecule-transducer interactions using these interesting nano-
materials. Moreover, further characterization of these nanostructured
materials is essential to advance the i eld of electrochemical biosensors and
reach the goal of sensitive, fast and inexpensive point-of-care diagnostic
devices. h e importance of a detailed characterization of these nanomate-
rials prior to their employment as electrodes cannot be overemphasized,
because even small variations in the methods of preparation may lead to
nanomaterials with signii cantly dif erent electrochemical properties.
Some of the major challenges faced by many researchers who seek to
fabricate biosensors for real-time applications are the implantation of the
devices in humans as real-time devices, which have environmental and
health issues. A lot of ef ort is also underway to develop a device in such a
way that these biosensors can be used for real-time detections.
Moreover, further research is required to improve the reusability of these
nanomaterial-based biosensors through the development of advanced
techniques including the simplii cation of the immobilization method and
the enhancement of the components' stability.
Future ef orts will also aim at guiding and tailoring the synthesis of novel
materials for meeting specii c electrochemical biosensing applications
