BIOSENSORS

BY
Partha Sarathi Tripathy
ROLL – 0301212360
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

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 Introduction
 A Biosensor can be defined as a compact
analytical device incorporating a biological or
biologically derived sensing element either
integrated within or intimately associated with a
physicochemical transducer.
 The main aim of a biosensor is to produce either
discrete or continuous digital electronic signals,
which are proportional to a single analyte or a
related group of analytes.
 In simple language it means that it is an
analytical device, which converts a biological
response into an electrical signal.

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 Properties of
Biosensors :
 The biological component must be specific and
stable State the main ideas you’ll be talking
about.
 The reaction should be as independent of
physical parameters such as pH, temperature
and stirring as possible .
 The response should be accurate, precise and
reproducible .
 The sensing element should be tiny and
biocompatible .
 The complete unit should be cheap and portable.

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 Design Features of
Biosensors :

a) Biocatalyst - converts the analyte into product .

b) Transducer - detects the occurrence of the reaction and converts it into an
electrical signal .
c) Amplifier - amplifies the usually tiny signal to a useable level.
d) Microprocessor - signal is digitised and stored for further processing.
e) Display - usually need a real-time display of the analyte concentration .
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 Signal
Transduction
Biosensors can be classified by the
method used to achieve signal
transduction.
They are:
1. Amperometric biosensors
2. Potentiometric biosensors
3. Optical biosensors
4. Calorimetric biosensors
5. Piezo-electric biosensors
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 Amperometric
Biosensors
 A potential is applied between the
central platinum cathode and the
annular silver anode which
generates a current (I) proportional
to the oxygen concentration ,which is
carried between the electrodes by
means of a saturated solution of KCl.
This electrode compartment is
separated from the biocatalyst i.e.
GOD (glucose oxidase,) by a thin
oxygen-permeable plastic membrane
(e.g. Teflon) and the analyte
solution is separated from the
biocatalyst by another membrane,
permeable to the substrates and
products.
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 Potentiometric
Biosensors :
a) semipermeable membrane
b) entrapped biocatalyst
c) glass membrane of a pH-probe
d) pH-probe
e) electrical potential
f) Ag/AgCl electrode g) dilute HCl
g) reference electrode
 Potentiometric biosensors make use of
ion-selective electrodes in order to
transduce the biological reaction into an
electrical signal. Such devices measure
the release or consumption of ions during
a reaction .
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 Optical
Biosensors :
There are two general approaches taken to implement
optical biosensors:

Measuring the change in light reflectance : here we
measure the change in reflectance at a single wavelength of a
dye as a result of a pH change or oxidation of the dye.Optical
fibres are used to transmit light to and from the reflectance
probe. This allows for miniaturisation of the sensor element.

 Measuring luminescence: This approach makes use of

firefly luciferase to measure ATP. This technique is used to
monitor any coupled enzyme that produces or uses ATP.

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 Calorimetric
Biosensors
 The sample stream (a) passes
through the outer insulated box (b)
to the heat exchanger (c) within an
aluminium block (d). From there, it
flows past the reference thermistor
(e) and into the packed bed
bioreactor (f, 1ml volume),
containing the biocatalyst, where
the reaction occurs. The change in
temperature is determined by the
thermistor (g) and the solution
passed to waste (h). External
electronics (l) determines the
difference in the resistance, and
hence temperature, between the
thermistors .
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 1.   Piezo-electric
Biosensors
 For any piezo-electric crystal, the change in
frequency is proportional to the mass of
absorbed material. The frequency change can be
easily detected by simple electronic circuits.
 The major drawback of these devices is the
interference from atmospheric humidity and the
difficulty in using them for the determination of
material in solution.
 The advantage of this is that these are
inexpensive, small and robust, and capable of
giving a rapid response.

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 CONCLUSION
 With few exception,many of the technical
approaches that are important to bioelectronics
are today commercially unproven.So far
bioelectronics has not proven a solid block in
general engineering and technical
field.Practically it does not have the vast use in
general class of human society.It will be a great
advantage if by using of bioelectronics of such
functional neuronal arrays as a viable approach
to fabricate “BRAIN COMPUTER”.The
neurobiology and physics involved in neuronal
dynamics and making computation.

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 THANK YOU

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