Biosensor Project

Product information and components

Biosensors are devices that converts chemical information, ranging from the concentration of
specific components of the global properties of samples, into an analytically measurable
signal. There are different categories of biosensors namely, affinity, enzymatic and
biocatalytic biosensors. The biosensor is composed of multiple components that work in
correlation with each other to achieve a single goal of detection. The first component is the
biorecognition element, antibodies, enzymes, protein, tissue, and cells etc. the biorecognition
element helps with the selectivity response to a particular analyte which minimizes
interferences from other sample components.
Another important component is the transducer that converts the reaction into a signal. the
last component is the signal processor that collects, amplifies, and displays the signal.
Electrochemical sensors are a subclass of chemical sensors. They are self-contained
integrated devices capable of providing specific quantitative or semi-quantitative analytical
information using a biological recognition element that that has an indirect contact with the
transduction element (electrochemical). sensors have shown some advantages as compared
to the competition and a few of them are low detection limit, high sensitivity. This type of
sensor can use different types of biological recognition element such as enzymes, nucleic
acids, and proteins to mention a few. There are two main types of electrochemical biosensors
depending on their recognition element i.e biocatalytic and affinity sensors.
The difference is that biocatalytic devices incorporate enzymes, whole cells or tissue cells
that recognize the target analyte and produce electroactive species. Affinity sensors mostly
incorporate biological components such as the antibody, antigen, nucleic acid, and a receptor
since it relies on selective binding of biorecognition element to the target analyte.
Between the above-mentioned types of sensors, the most preferred one is the affinity type
biosensor. This type of biosensor as already mentioned employs the use the selective and
strong binding of biomolecules such as antibodies, membrane receptors, or oligonucleotides,
with a target analyte to produce a measurable electrical signal. the molecular recognition in
affinity biosensors is mainly determined by the complementary size and shape of the binding
site to the analyte of interest. The high affinity and specificity of the biomolecule for its
ligand make these sensors very highly sensitive and selective.
Immunosensor are type of sensors that are based on antigen-based affinity where the
detection of an analyte, an antigen is brought about by its binding to a region of an antibody.
The electrochemical transducer responds to the binding event and converts the electrical
response to an output that can be amplified, stored, and displayed.
Immunosensors are well known to have extremely low detection limits. They can be applied
to both the quantitative and qualitative applications and can be used to detect trace levels,
bacteria, drugs, hormones, pesticides, and other chemicals.
Electrochemical detection is applied in electrochemical sensors as transducers because of the
low cost, ease of use, portability, and simplicity of construction. Electrochemistry is a surface
technique and offers certain advantages for detection in biosensors. It does not depend
strongly depend on the reaction volume, and very small sample volume can be used for
measurement. Electrochemical detection can be sued to achieve low detection limits in
immunoassays with little or no sample preparation. The advantage of using electrochemical
detection is not affected by sample components such as chromophores, fluorophores, and
particles that would normally interfere with spectrophotometric detection. The
electrochemical techniques are organized in three categories of measurement: current,
potential and impedance.
Among the three, voltammetry is the best one and it is a potential based technique. The
principle is based on applying a potential to a working electrode vs a reference electrode and
measuring the current. The term voltammetry is used for those techniques in which the
potential is scanned over a set potential range. The current response is usually a peak or a
plateau that is proportional to the concentration of analyte. Voltametric methods include
linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, hydrodynamic voltammetry, differential pulse
voltammetry, square-wave voltammetry, ac voltammetry, polarography, and stripping
voltammetry.11 These methods have a wide dynamic range and are useful for low level
quantitation. Electrochemical sensors are part of an electrochemical cell that consists of
either three electrodes or two electrodes A typical three electrode electrochemical cell
consists of a working (or indicator) electrode of a chemically stable solid, conductive
material, such as platinum, gold, or carbon (e.g., graphite); a reference electrode, usually
consisting of silver metal coated with a layer of silver chloride (Ag/AgCl); and a platinum
wire auxiliary electrode. These electrodes can be easily miniaturized, so dimensions on the
order of micrometers Nanowires, nanoparticles, and carbon nanotubes are now being
incorporated into biosensors. Shrinking electrode dimensions may lead to higher sensitivity.3
Very small sample volumes (on the order of microliters and less) are required to detect with
such small electrodes due to their small surface areas, and this is significant advantage when
the sample sizes are limited. Screen-printed electrodes (SPEs), patterned minielectrode
systems with working, reference, and auxiliary electrodes, have gained popularity in
electrochemical biosensors due to their low cost and ease and speed of mass production using
thick film technology.6 An SPE for detecting oxygen in SPEs can also be miniaturized easily
making them an attractive transducer choice for microfluidic systems and portable meters.
Gold coated and gold based SPE sensors have been used in stripping voltammetry to
determine trace levels of lead, copper, cadmium, and mercury in water samples.
INNOVATION MAP
CUSTOMER VALUE-PROPOSITION
Biosensor (Immunosensor) – Affinity based biosensor
The biosensor will compose of antibodies as the recognition element, electrochemical
detection for the transduction and signal processing. will use a biological recognition element
composed of modified electrodes. The electrodes will be modified with gold nanoparticles for
increased sensitivity and for the stability of the antibodies under different environmental
conditions (long-term stable response to bio-analytes). These adjustments improve the
biosensors aspects mainly the response time, effectiveness, costs, portability, and sensitivity.
The product will use saliva to be simplify its suage and it is the safest one to use especially in
covid 19 positive patients. Compared to using pharyngeal fluids, stool and serums saliva is
the one that comes with less risks involved for the person handling the samples. It also
doesn’t require any sample preparation, so it provides fast and direct virus detection.
Screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) are electrochemical measurement devices that are
manufactured by printing different types of ink on plastic or ceramic materials. They consist
of patterned minielectrode systems with 3 electrode system, working, reference and auxiliary
electrodes. They are common and very attractive transducers because of their low cost, easy
to make, and speed of mass production. Gold and gold nanoparticles can be used for the
modification of the SPEs in stripping electrodes. The
ANALYTE
Covid-19 is the desired analyte for this biosensor device. Covid 19 has impacted different
value chains and it continues to put the economy and the livelihood of communities around
the world at jeopardy and ad a very large disadvantage. The product development, marketing
and sales, ICT operations, customer services and policy and claims management are the
affected value chains that are negatively affecting different parties involved. Making a
product that plays a role in eradicating the pandemic and improve the current state of life.
The product will have a positive impact on different value chains, like the logistics for
example, the product will have to reach the clients form different locations. Since the product
is affordable the end users affected by the virus will be able to afford it and because it will
mass produced more people will be employed and more components will be bought from
different businesses. The overall advantage is that the device will be effective, and it will
work better than the current ones offered on the market. The value chains will be involved in
the production and reducing their vulnerability.

PRODUCT
Screen-printed biosensor composed of antibodies-antigen (immunosensor) as the
biorecognition element and an electrochemical transduction system.