Of all the recent discoveries in biotechnology, that of biosensor is one
of those which has seen an exponential expansion over the last few
years. This evolution corresponds with the increasing need for measuring
devices that can follow continuously changing biological processes.
Biosensors can meet this need provided that their signals include all
the information necessary for an understanding of the process,
especially concerning the nature and concentration of the species
present in the sample medium. It is well known that sensors form the
basis of all instrumental analysis systems, but they also represent the
limiting factors of such systems. In this book, we restrict ourselves to
the description and study of sensors, leaving aside the different
aspects of signal and data treatment. We believe, however, that it is
important to stress the multifaceted character of biosensors, and the
applications and economic factors which follow. Biosensor construction
is essentially based on the immobilization of a bioreceptor on the
corresponding transducer. The reader will find that there are a large
variety of techniques for immobilizing enzymes, cofactors and mediators,
and even microorganisms, immunoagents, e now commercially available.
Other types of tissues, and organelles. A large part of this book is
devoted to enzyme biosensors are discussed, with regard to both the
principles of their sensors, which is hardly surprising considering that
they have been operation, and their construction.
