Micro-biosensor design

Recently several methods were developed for fast prototyping and mass production of micro- and nanostructures in polymers. Injection moulding is one of the techniques, which is commonly used with great success. Improvement in patterning, structuring [32] or bonding [33] of those materials is essential for the creation of low cost and portable biosensors. However, in this work, we do not focus on these fabrication methods, rather we describe some specific polymers which are commonly used in biosensor designs. 

Three major intellectual frontiers for chemical engineers in bioprocessing are the design of bioreactors for the culture of plant and animal cells, the development of control systems along with the needed biosensors and analytical instraments, and the development of processes for separating and purifying products. A critical component in each of these three research areas is the need to relate the micro-scale to the mesoscale. 

The analysis of biomolecules by AFM is sometimes [3] referred to as surface biology, as opposed to the so-called test-tube biology, because the immobilisation of oligonucleotides on sohd surfaces is central to the design, fabrication and operation of DNA-based microdevices, such as biosensors, DNA micro- and nanoarrays, microPCR and lab-on-a-chip devices. As the analysed biomolecules are in close contact and very often in intimate interaction with the surface, sample preparation for the AFM analysis of surface-immobihsed biomolecules is both critical and dehcate. The biomolecules need to be firmly anchored on the substrate, which has to have a sufficiently minimal or easily discriminated topography [1]. The Kleinschmidt method [6] for the DNA... 

An increasing number of studies of cell-based biosensors are combining cell culture with nano/micro techniques in their designs and fabrications. The... 

Boisen A, Thundat T (2009) Design and fabrication of cantilever array biosensors. Mater Today 12 32-38 Bracher PJ, Gupta M, Whitesides GM (2010) Patterning precipitates of reactions in paper. J Mater Chem 20 5117-5122 Briand D, Colin S, Gangadharaiah A, Vela E, Dubois P, Thiery L, de Rooij NF (2006) Micro-hotplates on polyimide for sensors and actuators. Sens Actuators A 132 317-324... 

Recent progresses in micro- and nanotechnology have led to the design of implantable, swallowable, wearable, or portable wireless biosensors to continuously monitor and detect important physiological parameters. The miniaturization and integration of biosensors, readout circuits, embedded microcontrollers, and wireless transceivers on a single chip have opened the way for new possibilities in medical applications. 

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