Biosensor Activity

AET activities are based upon its expertise in the field of protein biotechnology and are oriented to the area of protein stabilization technology and to the development and production of stabilized biosensors. The AET biosensor activities are enhanced by support and synergy with its sister companies Gwent Electronic Materials Ltd. and Gwent Sensors Ltd. 

Zhang J, Wang X, Cui W et al (2013) Visualization of caspase-3-like activity in cells using a genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor activated by protein cleavage. Nat Commun 4 2157... 

There has been a surge of research activity in the physical chemistry of membranes, bilayers, and vesicles. In addition to the fundamental interest in cell membranes and phospholipid bilayers, there is tremendous motivation for the design of supported membrane biosensors for medical and pharmaceutical applications (see the recent review by Sackmann [64]). This subject, in particular its biochemical aspects, is too vast for full development here we will only briefly discuss some of the more physical aspects of these systems. The reader is referred to the general references and some additional reviews [65-69]. 

Potcntiomctric Biosensors Potentiometric electrodes for the analysis of molecules of biochemical importance can be constructed in a fashion similar to that used for gas-sensing electrodes. The most common class of potentiometric biosensors are the so-called enzyme electrodes, in which an enzyme is trapped or immobilized at the surface of an ion-selective electrode. Reaction of the analyte with the enzyme produces a product whose concentration is monitored by the ion-selective electrode. Potentiometric biosensors have also been designed around other biologically active species, including antibodies, bacterial particles, tissue, and hormone receptors. 

Environmental Applications Although ion-selective electrodes find use in environmental analysis, their application is not as widespread as in clinical analysis. Standard methods have been developed for the analysis of CN , F , NH3, and in water and wastewater. Except for F , however, other analytical methods are considered superior. By incorporating the ion-selective electrode into a flow cell, the continuous monitoring of wastewater streams and other flow systems is possible. Such applications are limited, however, by the electrode s response to the analyte s activity, rather than its concentration. Considerable interest has been shown in the development of biosensors for the field screening and monitoring of environmental samples for a number of priority pollutants. 

A compound which is a good choice for an artificial electron relay is one which can reach the reduced FADH2 active site, undergo fast electron transfer, and then transport the electrons to the electrodes as rapidly as possible. Electron-transport rate studies have been done for an enzyme electrode for glucose (G) using interdigitated array electrodes (41). The following mechanism for redox reactions in osmium polymer—GOD biosensor films has... 

A lot of analytical techniques have been proposed in recent decades and most of them are based on enzymes, called dehydrogenases, which are not sensitive to oxygen and need cofactors such as NAD". The key problems which seriously hamper a wide commercialization of biosensors and enzymatic kits based on NAD-dependent enzymes are necessity to add exogenous cofactor (NAD" ) into the samples to be analyzed to incorporate into the biologically active membrane of sensors covalently bounded NAD" to supply the analytical technique by NAD -regeneration systems. 

PSS-SG composite film was tested for sorption of heme proteins hemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb). The peroxidaze activity of adsorbed proteins were studied and evaluated by optical and voltammetric methods. Mb-PSS-SG film on PG electrode was shown to be perspective for detection of dissolved oxygen and hydrogen peroxide by voltammetry with linear calibration in the range 2-30 p.M, and detection limit -1.5 p.M. Obtained composite films can be modified by different types of biological active compounds which is important for the development of sensitive elements of biosensors. 

Oxidation of P-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) to NAD+ has attracted much interest from the viewpoint of its role in biosensors reactions. It has been reported that several quinone derivatives and polymerized redox dyes, such as phenoxazine and phenothiazine derivatives, possess catalytic activities for the oxidation of NADH and have been used for dehydrogenase biosensors development [1, 2]. Flavins (contain in chemical structure isoalloxazine ring) are the prosthetic groups responsible for NAD+/NADH conversion in the active sites of some dehydrogenase enzymes. Upon the electropolymerization of flavin derivatives, the effective catalysts of NAD+/NADH regeneration, which mimic the NADH-dehydrogenase activity, would be synthesized [3]. 

Scanning electrochemical microscopy can also be applied to study localized biological activity, as desired, for example, for in-situ characterization of biosensors (59,60). In this mode, the tip is used to probe the biological generation or consumption of electroactive species, for example, the product of an enzymatic surface reaction. The utility of potentiometric (pH-selective) tips has also been... 

Toxin (Enzyme Inhibition) Biosensors Enzyme affectors (inhibitors and activators) that influence the rate of biocatalytic reactions can also be measured. Sensing probes for organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, for the respiratory... 

Electrical conductivity measurements revealed that ionic conductivity of Ag-starch nanocomposites increased as a function of temperature (Fig.l7) which is an indication of a thermally activated conduction mechanism [40]. This behavior is attributed to increase of charge carrier (Ag+ ions) energy with rise in temperature. It is also foimd to increase with increasing concentration of Ag ion precursor (inset of Fig.l7). This potentiality can lead to development of novel biosensors for biotechnological applications such as DNA detection. 

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