DEPARTMENT OF

CIVIL ENGINEERING
TOPIC: BIOSENSORS
Subject: BIOLOGY FOR ENGINEERS
(21BE45)
Presented by:
CHANDHAN K (1JS21CV007)
CHANDHAN KUMAR (1JS21CV008)
DHARSHAN R (1JS21CV012)
UJWAL GOWDA (1JS21CV032)
What is a sensor ?
A sensor is a device that measures physical input from its
environment and converts it into data that can be interpreted by
either a human or a machine.
It can also be defined as a device that converts signals from
one energy domain to electrical domain.
• A biosensor is a device that measures
What is a Biosensor ?
biological or chemical reactions by
generating signals proportional to the
concentration of an analyte in the
reaction.​
• Biosensors are employed
in applications such as
disease monitoring, drug discovery,
and detection of pollutants, disease-
causing micro-organisms and markers
that are indicators of a disease in
bodily fluids (blood, urine, saliva,
sweat).​
The Components
of a Typical
Biosensor
• Analyte: A substance of interest that needs
detection. For instance, glucose is an
‘analyte’ in a biosensor designed to detect
glucose.​
• Bioreceptor: A molecule that
specifically recognizes the analyte is known
as a bioreceptor. Enzymes, cells, aptamers,
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and antibodies
are some examples of bioreceptors. The
process of signal generation (in the form of
light, heat, pH, charge or mass change,
etc.) upon interaction of the bioreceptor
with the analyte is termed bio-recognition.​
• Transducer: The transducer is an element
that converts one form of energy into
another. In a biosensor the role of the
transducer is to convert the bio-recognition
event into a measurable signal.
• This process of energy conversion is
known as signalization. Most transducers
produce either optical or electrical
signals that are usually proportional to the
amount of analyte–bioreceptor interactions.
• Electronics: This is the part of a
biosensor that processes the
transduced signal and prepares it for
display. It consists of complex electronic
circuitry that performs signal
conditioning such as amplification and
conversion of signals from analogue
into the digital form. The processed
signals are then quantified by the
display unit of the biosensor.
• Display: The display consists of a user
interpretation system such as the liquid
crystal display of a computer or a direct
printer that generates numbers or
curves understandable by the user. This
part often consists of a combination of
hardware and software that generates
results of the biosensor in a user-
friendly manner. The output signal on
the display can be numeric, graphic,
tabular or an image, depending on the
requirements of the end user.
 • The Biological material is immobilized and
a contact is made between
the immobilized biological material and
transducers.
• The Analyte binds to
the biological material to form a bound
analyte which in turn produces the
electronic responses that can be
Basic Principle measured.
• Sometimes the analyte is converted to a
product which be associated with the
release of heat, gas (oxygen), electrons or
Hydrogen ions.
• The Transducers then
converts the product
linked changes into electrical signals
which can be amplified and measured.
WORKING PRINCIPLE
• Biosensors basically involve the quantitative
analysis of various substance by converting their
biological actions into measurable signals.
• Generally the performance of the biosensors is
mostly dependent on the specificity and
sensitivity of the biological reaction, besides
the stability of the enzyme.
• Analyte diffuses from the solution to the surface of
the Biosensor.
• Analyte reacts specifically and efficiently with the
biological component of the Biosensor.
• This reaction changes the physicochemical
properties of the Transducer surface.
• This leads to change in the Optical/ electronic
properties of the transducer surface.
• The changes are the converted to electrical signal,
which is detected
IDEAL
BIOSENSORS
• The output signal must be relevant
to measurement.
• The functional surface
must be compatible with the
Transducer.
• High specificity and
selectivity (Low interference).
• Sufficient sensitivity and resolution.
• Sufficient accuracy and
repeatability.
• Sufficient speed of response.
• Sufficient dynamic range.
• The effects of
the environmental interference must
be compensated.
 • Biosensors are broadly classified into two classes:
Types of 1. On the Basis of Biological element :

Biosensors a)
b)
Enzyme Biosensor
Microbial Biosensor
c) Antibody Biosensor
• On the Basis of Transducing
element:
1. Calorimetric/ Thermal
detection Biosensors.
2. Optical Biosensors.
3. Resonant Biosensors.
4. Piezoelectric Biosensors.
5. Ion Sensitive Biosensors.
6. Electrochemical
Biosensors.
a) Conductimetric
b) Aerometric
c) Potentiometric
Applications of Biosensors
Medical Diagnostics:
• Detecting biomarkers for diseases such as diabetes, cardiac
conditions, and cancer.
• Monitoring levels of specific molecules like glucose,
cholesterol, and enzymes in blood.
• Early detection of infectious diseases through pathogen-
specific antigen/antibody interactions.
Example:
1. Glucose Biosensors for Diabetes Management:
Biosensors can measure glucose levels in blood or
interstitial fluid, helping diabetes patients monitor their
condition and manage insulin dosages.
2. Lateral Flow Immunoassays for Rapid Pathogen
Detection: Biosensors can detect specific antigens or
antibodies of pathogens like HIV, malaria, or COVID-19,
enabling quick and simple diagnostics.
Environmental Monitoring:
• Measuring pollutants and toxins in air, water, and soil.
• Monitoring microbial contamination in food and water supplies.
• Detecting heavy metals and pesticides in agricultural products
Example:
1. Whole-Cell Biosensors for Environmental Toxicity: Biosensors
using engineered cells can detect pollutants' toxic effects in real-
time, contributing to environmental risk assessment.
2. Nitrate Biosensors for Agricultural Runoff Control: Biosensors can
measure nitrate levels in soil and water, helping prevent nutrient
pollution and its impact on ecosystems.
Food Safety and Quality Control:
• Detecting allergens and pathogens in food products.
• Monitoring freshness and spoilage of perishable goods.
• Verifying the authenticity and quality of food ingredients.
Example:
1. Bacterial Biosensors for Foodborne Pathogen Detection:
Biosensors can identify harmful bacteria like E. coli and
Salmonella in food products, preventing foodborne illnesses.
Biomedical Research:
• Studying cell behavior, gene expression, and protein interactions.
• Monitoring cell health and viability in experiments.
• Investigating the mechanisms of diseases and genetic disorders.
Example:
• Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensors: These biosensors can study real
time interactions between proteins, providing insights into drug-target
interactions and protein-protein binding.
• Impedance-Based Biosensors for Cell Viability: Biosensors can monitor
changes in electrical impedance caused by cells, assessing their viability and
response to drugs.
Forensics and Security:
• Identifying biological traces at crime scenes.
• Detecting drugs, explosives, and toxins.
• Authenticating individuals through biometric measurements.
Example:
• DNA Biosensors for Genetic Testing: Biosensors can detect specific DNA
sequences, aiding in genetic testing for diseases, paternity testing, and
forensic analysis.
 Examples of
Biosensors

• Glucose monitoring device:

To monitor glucose levels in
Blood
• Pregnancy Test: The Human
Chorionic gonadotropin protein in
the urine is detected.
Conclusion
Looking at the never-ending literature related to biosensors over the last few decades, it undoubtedly
reveals that biosensors are attractive not only in academia but also in industry. Biosensor technology
exploits the unique properties of a biological recognition event on a transducing device. In such an
event, the interaction of the analyte with the bioreceptor is converted into a suitable output that is
easily readable by the user. This approach not only exploits the molecular binding event, but also
brings researchers from different areas of science and engineering to bridge their skills. Similar
practices have created an immense impact on early-stage researchers in the field of biosensors. In
addition it has opened new frontiers in scientific research where considerable attention has been
drawn towards the development of technologies to benefit different areas including healthcare.
Working in an interdisciplinary field helps to think out of the box and work together with distinct
professionals where every idea contributes to make something substantial. A simple example is a
pregnancy test biosensor where researchers from biology highlighted the biological aspects and co-
operated with engineers to work on the electronics of the system for the read-out. Finally, research
from the laboratory is being transferred to customers worldwide because of management
professionals. It would be naïve to think that biosensor research is confined to a niche–this can be
seen clearly by the rapid increase in biosensors available in the market in recent times. Recently,
there has been a gradual increase in start-up companies based on biosensor technology worldwide,
which is having a profound impact on the healthcare industrial sector. In general, it can be said that
biosensors have found an important place in our society as they aim to improve the quality of life in
diverse areas such as homeland defence and security, agriculture, food safety, environment, medicine
and pharmacology.