Novel bio-composites for biosensors based on resistive changes

Abstract

We have developed a sensing platform for medical diagnostics based on the incorporation of biomolecules (receptors) in active, gas sensitive matrices. The receptor biomolecules may be enzymes, bacteria, cells that induce biochemical reactions with the analytes of interest, resulting in the release of gases. The gaseous species are detected rapidly by the active matrix compounds, typically chemoselective metal oxides or polymers. In this work, the development of bio-doped transition metal oxide-based detectors for monitoring metabolic products (such as urea) in aqueous media is discussed. The advantage of the proposed sensor technology over existing biosensors lies in it's potential for rapid and selective detection of bio-species by solid state devices using electrical signals. The matrices of choice for this work are selective gas sensing probes utilizing particular polymorphs of the MoO3