Biochemical Interactions and Acoustic-Wave Sensors

Sensitive, selective detection of biochemically active compounds can be achieved by employing antigen-antibody, enzyme-substrate, and other receptor-protein pairs, several of which have been utilized in the development of piezoelectric immunoassay devices. The potential analytical uses of these materials has been reviewed, particularly with respect to the development of biochemical sensors [221-224], The receptor protein (e.g., enzyme, antibody) can be immobilized directly on the sensor surface, or it can be suspended in a suitable film or membrane. An example of the sensitivity and response range that can be 

Candida albicans anti-Candida antibody 10 cells/cm long analysis times (30 min.) needed for microbial reaction [244] 

In addition to receptor-type proteins, bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) have been investigated for the detection of species of biochemical interest [221, 231,232]. The lipid film can be used alone, or chemical receptor agents can be incorporated into the membrane to enhance selectivity for inorganic ions or organic compounds/ions. Responses for BLM-coated devices are related to the mass loading of the analyte in/on the lipid film and to changes in interfacial conditions, e.g., elastic and viscous coupling effects [53,221-223]. 

Another less-utilized transduction mechanism for biosensors involves the acoustoelectric effect. In principle, any biochemical process that produces a change in the electrical properties of the solution, can be monitored by observing changes in the frequency and/or attenuation of the device if its surface is not metallized. For example, a SH-SAW device has been reported for the detection of pH changes associated with the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of urea [235]. Using an immobilized urease membrane on the sensor surface, it was anticipated that urea concentrations as small as 3 /u.M could be reliably detected. 

Most immunochemically based sensors to date have been developed for liquid-phase measurements thus, the TSM resonator has been the device of choice. Of course, other plate-mode devices (SH-APM, FPW) would be equally well suited for liquid-phase detection and may have advantages in terms of sensitivity. A low-frequency (20 MHz) SAW liquid-phase immunoassay device has been reported [27], but operation of SAWs of higher frequencies in liquids is not feasible due to excessive attenuation of the SAW by the liquid. An alternative to in-situ detection is to expose a protein-coated AW device to a liquid-phase sample for a period of time, then dry it [226] the observed frequency shift is proportional to analyte concentration. When using this technique, it is crucial that careful control experiments in the absence of analyte be performed to obtain an accurate idea of the reproducibility of the baseline oscillation frequency throughout the procedure. 

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