Immunosensors

Biosensors for the Multiplex Detection of Inflammatory Disease Biomarkers

A biosensor is an analytical device used for the real-time detection and measurement of a chemical or biochemical substance [...].

Biosensors in clinical chemistry: An overview

Biosensors are small devices that employ biological/biochemical reactions for detecting target analytes. Basically, the device consists of a biocatalyst and a transducer. The biocatalyst may be a cell, tissue, enzyme or even an oligonucleotide. The transducers are mainly amperometric, potentiometric or optical. The classification of biosensors is based on (a) the nature of the recognition event or (b) the intimacy between the biocatalyst and the transducer. Bioaffinity and biocatalytic devices are examples for the former and the first, whereas second and third generation instruments are examples for the latter. Cell-based biosensors utilizing immobilized cells, tissues as also enzyme immunosensors and DNA biosensors find variegated uses in diagnostics. Enzyme nanoparticle-based biosensors make use of small particles in the nanometer scale and are currently making a mark in laboratory medicine. Nanotechnology can help in optimizing the diagnostic biochips, which would facilitate sensitive, rapid, accurate and precise bedside monitoring. Biosensors render themselves as capable diagnostic tools as they meet most of the above-mentioned criteria.

ImmunoFET feasibility in physiological salt environments

Field-effect transistors (FETs) are solid-state electrical devices featuring current sources, current drains and semiconductor channels through which charge carriers migrate. FETs can be inexpensive, detect analyte without label, exhibit exponential responses to surface potential changes mediated by analyte binding, require limited sample preparation and operate in real time. ImmunoFETs for protein sensing deploy bioaffinity elements on their channels (antibodies), analyte binding to which modulates immunoFET electrical properties. Historically, immunoFETs were assessed infeasible owing to ion shielding in physiological environments. We demonstrate reliable immunoFET sensing of chemokines by relatively ion-impermeable III-nitride immunoHFETs (heterojunction FETs) in physiological buffers. Data show that the specificity of detection follows the specificity of the antibodies used as receptors, allowing us to discriminate between individual highly related protein species (human and murine CXCL9) as well as mixed samples of analytes (native and biotinylated CXCL9). These capabilities demonstrate that immunoHFETs can be feasible, contrary to classical FET-sensing assessment. FET protein sensors may lead to point-of-care diagnostics that are faster and cheaper than immunoassay in clinical, biotechnological and environmental applications.

Ochratoxin a: general overview and actual molecular status

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi that structurally consists of a para-chlorophenolic group containing a dihydroisocoumarin moiety that is amide-linked to L-phenylalanine. OTA is detected worldwide in various food and feed sources. Studies show that this molecule can have several toxicological effects such as nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, teratogenic and immunotoxic. A role in the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy and its association to urinary tract tumors has been also proved. In this review, we will explore the general aspect of OTA: physico-chemical properties, toxicological profile, OTA producing fungi, contaminated food, regulation, legislation and analytical methods. Due to lack of sufficient information related to the molecular background, this paper will discuss in detail the recent advances in molecular biology of OTA biosynthesis, based on information and on new data about identification and characterization of ochratoxin biosynthetic genes in both Penicillium and Aspergillus species. This review will also cover the development of the molecular methods for the detection and quantification of OTA producing fungi in various foodstuffs.

Immunoglobulin G Determination in Human Serum and Milk Using an Immunosensor of New Conception Fitted with an Enzyme Probe as Transducer

To completely overcome the problem of the presence of urea in the serum, which can be the cause (especially at low immunoglobulin G concentrations) of a small but non negligible interference in the enzyme reaction of the enzymatic marker, when the measurement was performed by a potentiometric immunosensor that we constructed and characterized in previous work, and which used urease as marker, we have now constructed an entirely different and highly innovative immunosensor. This new device uses the enzyme alkaline phosphatase as marker, sodium phenylphosphate as substrate but above all, a tyrosinase biosensor obtained by coupling a Clark type gas diffusion amperometric electrode and the tyrosinase enzyme, immobilized in a cellulose triacetate membrane, as transducer. After optimizing the ‘competitive’ measurement procedures, the new immunosensor was used to determine both HIgG and the anti-HIgG, with a limit of detection (LOD) of the order of 3×10^-11 M. Clearly this highly innovative construction geometry makes the immunosensor extremely selective. This makes it possible to determine immunoglobulin G both in human serum and milk without the slightest interference by any urea present in these biological matrixes.

Simultaneous detection of five indices of hepatitis B based on an integrated automatic microfluidic device

Immunophenotyping evaluation is of particular importance for the clinical diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of viral hepatitis. In this study, an integrated micro flow device has been developed to detect the differentiated antigens/antibodies for immunophenotyping of viral hepatitis. The sensors were fabricated with plasma-polymerized ethylenediamine film (PPF) and nanometer-sized gold particles (nanogold) on which the different hepatitis B antigens/antibodies (markers) were subsequently immobilized. Monitoring the changes in the potential signals before and after the antigen-antibody interaction provides the basis for an immunoassay that is simple, rapid, and cost-effective. It permits the detection of hepatitis B in the dynamic concentration range of 2 orders of magnitude (10(-6) g x L(-1) - 10(-4) g x L(-1)). Up to 7 successive assay cycles with retentive sensitivity were achieved for the sensors regenerated by 8 M urea. Moreover, the microfluidic device was applied to evaluate a number of practical specimens with analytical results in acceptable agreement with those clinically classified. The newly proposed multiparameter analysis technique provides a feasible alternative tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of hepatitis B.

A novel immunosensor based on immobilization of hepatitis B surface antibody on platinum electrode modified colloidal gold and polyvinyl butyral as matrices via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) was immobilized to the surface of platinum electrode modified with colloidal gold and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) as matrices to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrochemical measurements of cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy showed that K(4)[Fe(CN)(6)]/K(3)[Fe(CN)(6)] reactions on the platinum electrode surface were blocked due to the procedures of self-assembly of HBsAb-Au-PVB. The binding of a specific HBsAb to HBsAg recognition layer could be detected by measurements of the impedance change. A new strategy was introduced for improving the sensitivity of impedance measurements via the large specific surface area and high surface free energy of Au nanoparticles and the encapsulated effect of polyvinyl butyral. The results showed that this strategy caused dramatic improvement of the detection sensitivity of HBsAg and had good linear response to detect HBsAg in the range of 20-160 ng.ml(-1) with a detection limit of 7.8 ng.ml(-1). Moreover, the studied immunosensor exhibited high sensitivity and long-term stability.

Principles and applications of biosensors for bioprocess monitoring and control

Biosensors are useful analytical devices that can be integrated with on-line process monitoring schemes. In this article, the principles and applications of these devices for bioprocess monitoring are considered. Several different types of biosensors are described, and the applications and limitations of flow injection analysis (FIA) for these applications are discussed. It is hoped that the background provided here can be useful to researchers in this area.

Amperometric immunoassay

An exciting new analytical technique based on amperometric devices used to measure immunoassays is reviewed in this article. The utility, ease, speed, simplicity, and many other advantages of performing amperometric immunoassays (AIAs) are discussed throughout the review. Limitations are also described, with electrochemical comparisons being made between AIAs and other conventional analytical methods, including potentiometric immunoassays. The review essentially consists of a general AIA overview, followed by sections devoted to amperometric electrode types, assay design, basic principles, automation, application, and future use. Operational features of oxygen gas selective electrodes and oxidoreductase probes are discussed for a better understanding of AIA principles. Characteristics, limits, advantages, and disadvantages of these different devices are presented. A variety of homogeneous and heterogeneous AIAs are described, together with many applications of the different assay formats available. AIAs are classified according to the electrode type employed, enzyme labels required, or electrochemical components involved. Important related AIAs discussed include pulse agglutination reactions and bioaffinity or displacement assays.

Biosensors

Biosensors are analytical devices that respond selectively to analytes in an appropriate sample and convert their concentration into an electrical signal via a combination of a biological recognition system and an electrochemical, optical or other transducer. Such devices will find application in medicine, agriculture, environmental monitoring and the bioprocessing industries. The last few years have seen great advances in the design of sensor architectures, the marriage of biological systems with monolithic silicon and optical technologies, the development of effective electron-transfer systems and the configuration of direct immunosensors. Recent progress in these areas has already led to the introduction of new-generation biosensors into the competitive diagnostics market place.

Luminescence biosensors

A novel optical biosensor for homogeneous immunoassay has been developed on the basis of the finding that electrochemical luminescence of pyrene-labelled antigen is extremely inhibited by immunochemical complexation. Electrochemical luminescence homogeneous immunoassay for human serum albumin (HSA), as a model analyte, was performed with a platinum plate electrode which was located in the vicinity of an optical fibre tip. HSA was determined in the concentration range of 3-25 X 10(-6) mol/l. To improve electrochemical luminescence measurement an optical fibre electrode has been developed by fabricating a transparent platinum film on the top of an optical fibre. The minimum detectable limit of luminol was 10(-11) mol/l with the optical fibre electrode. Luminol was applied as a label for homogeneous immunoassay.