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Science 20 September 2002:
Vol. 297. no. 5589, pp. 2075 - 2076
DOI: 10.1126/science.297.5589.2075
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Tech.Sight

BIOSENSORS:
Broadband Biodetection: Holmes on a Chip

Phil McFadden

Most pioneering biosensors employ a biological molecule--an enzyme, antibody, nucleic acid, or other element--to recognize sample molecules of interest. Recognition takes place via biochemical binding through hydrogen bonding, charge-charge interactions, and so forth. A secondary process, such as a colorimetric indicator reaction or the amplification of a weak bioelectric signal, informs the user of the primary molecular recognition event. A few such molecular recognition biosensors are familiar as consumer products, including glucose monitors (enzyme-based), pregnancy test strips (antibody-based), and paternity test kits (nucleic acid-based). This article describes the use and design features of modern biosensors.

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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Current and Developing Technologies for Monitoring Agents of Bioterrorism and Biowarfare.
D. V. Lim, J. M. Simpson, E. A. Kearns, and M. F. Kramer (2005)
Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 18, 583-607
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Shedding Light on Microbial Detection.
D. A. Relman (2003)
N. Engl. J. Med. 349, 2162-2163
   Full Text »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)