Biochips components

Development of biocomponents that are similar to and/or composed of biological macromolecules, the development of biochips that make use of these components, and ultimately, the construction of biocomputers (Section 1.3). 

Types of biosensors can be named either by the biological components, physical transducing devices, or the measured analytes. Researchers were originally using biological components to define types of biosensors (Table 2). Types of transducers had also been included in the name to identify the physical transducing device, i.e., enzyme electrodes, acoustic-immunosensors, optical biosensors, piezoelectric-immunosensors, and biochips. 

The third method does not detect the viral DNA or protein components but the antigens. In this immunoassay the antibodies are both localized on a biochip surface and on a SERS-active particle, which is in addition also marked with a SERS label. The antibodies can then either bind to the viral particles [37] or the isolated antigens [38]. For both variations the presence of viral particles or antigens leads to a SERS signal at the corresponding spot on the biochip. 

A special POC food intolerance test (antigen-specific IgG test) has been prepared to account for an increasing incidence of food intolerance implied in different disease states. It can detect a total of 57 different antibodies. There are possibilities to analyze more than 150 different components or antigens from about 20 pL of sample using a biochip-based allergy test (ImmunoCAP IS AC) (Samson, 2001 Duran-Tauleria et al., 2004 Lidholm et al., 2006). 

In addition, the subject of assembly looms as an apparently insurmountable obstacle. It is not at all clear how researchers would go about assembling individual molecular components into a functioning device, although bioengineering offers a potential solution to this problem. Examples of self-assembled structures exist everywhere in nature from the helical secondary structure of DNA to the human brain. Current knowledge of such systems is simply inadequate to allow scientists to employ similar forces to create synthetic molecular electronic devices. Clearly, an enormous amount of groundwork needs to be laid if the concept of the molecular electronic device or biochip computer is ever to become a reality. 

In the past two decades, the biological and medical fields have seen great advances in the development of biochips capable of characterizing and quantifying biomolecules. Biochips, also known as labs on a chip or pTAS (micro-total analysis systems), are microscale systems that interact with biological components on their characteristic length scale. Many biochips work with particles (cells, bacteria, DNA, etc.) suspended in fluids. 

As discussed above biochips based on metal particles layers are among the best in enhancing fluorescence. The REF -chip is a slide with a coating of designed metal nanoparticles and an overcoat of a transparent inert non-metal distance layer and topmost an array of biorecognitive components, which do bind the fluorophores in the proper distance during an assay. 

Micro lithium-ion batteries can be used as either the main or the backup power source of MEMSs. They can be manufactured independent of the MEMS and can be connected externally to the MEMS. They can also be embedded as a power source for one component of the MEMS, which can reduce the power consumption of the integrated circuit. Micro medical devices, remote sensors, mini transmitters, smart cards, biochips, and micro operators for the human body can also use them a as main or backup power source. They also can be used for memory cards and computer complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOSs). 

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