Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
23
Perspectives on Biosensor Technology
Amarjeet S. Bassi and George K. Knopf
CONTENTS
23.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................617
23.2 New Directions of Research ........................................................................................618
23.2.1 Enhancing Sensitivity and Selectivity ..........................................................618
23.2.2 Biomimetic Sensor Designs ............................................................................619
23.2.3 Optical Nucleic Acid Sensors ........................................................................620
23.2.4 Nanostructured Organic Biological Matrices ..............................................620
23.2.5 Advances in Carbon Nanotubes ....................................................................621
23.2.6 Future Impact on Medicine and Health Care ................................................621
23.3 Mimicking Biology: Is This a Realistic Goal? ............................................................622
23.4 Concluding Remarks ....................................................................................................625
References ....................................................................................................................................626
23.1
Introduction
The field of smart biosensor technology is evolving rapidly, being driven by new materi-
als, innovative fabrication processes, application of sophisticated information technology,
and a multidisciplinary approach to product design and development. The contributors to
this volume have identified and elaborated upon a number of new research directions.
For example, single-molecule detection using intracellular nanosensors is an exciting and
promising area of research. With these advancements, implantable nanosensors can pro-
vide unique insights into biological or cellular metabolism in the very near future. Also,
innovative signal transducers fabricated using silicon nanowires have been investigated
as a means to selectively detect individual virus particles in solution. Biochips containing
high-density arrays are also being developed at an increasingly rapid pace. These tech-
nologies will make it easier to detect potential biological markers of many different dis-
eases or illnesses with minimal sampling and cost.
New methods of layer-by-layer fabrication have enabled improved designs of biosensor
platforms. These simple methods provide a mechanism for fine tuning the sensing layer
and providing a greater degree of flexibility in biosensor design. Interfacing sensors with
tissue, skin, and other biological structures is another important area of research. One
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