Humana Enzyme and Microbial Biosensors: Techniques and Protocols: 6 (Methods in Biotechnology, 6)

In 1962 Clark and Lyons pioneered the concept of a biosensor. They p- posed immobilizing enzymes at electrochemical detectors to form “enzyme el- trodes” in order to expand the analyte range of ther base sensor. Smce then, the field of blosensors has greatly expanded. Some of the reasons for the expansion include both advances in signal transduction technologies and the incorporation of different biological sensing elements (Table 1). As a consequence, there are now a bewildering array of permutations of the biological sensing element and signal transducers that can be used to c- struct a biosensor. The purpose of the two volumes of Protocols and Te- niques in Biosensors is to provide a basic reference tool and starting point for use by graduate students, postdoctoral and senior researchers, and technicians m academics, industry, and government research establishments, to enable rapid entry into the field of biosensors. There are a variety of approaches that researchers employ to select a combination of bioaffinity elements and signal transducers. One commonly used approach is to identtfy the compound or compounds of interest; identify the biological molecule that yields an appropriate recognitionlselectivtty and dynamic concentration range for the assay; and choose an assay format and signal transduction technology that will meet the analytical requirements for the proposed application, This volume, Enzyme and Microbial Biosensors: Techniques and Protocols, describes a variety of transduction technologies that have been interfaced to enzymes and microorganisms. Review "Mulchandani and Rogers have assembled an international group of authors that presents a comprehensive panel of biosensors. . .the consistent format among chapters is useful and refreshing. . .chapters include concise descriptions of the fundamentals and developmental history of the highlighted transducer. . .every chapter includes tips for ensuring experimental success."-Molecular Biotechnology From the Back Cover In Enzyme and Microbial Biosensors: Protocols and Techniques, master experimentalists detail cutting-edge methods developed in their own laboratories for the construction and evaluation of enzyme- and cell-based biosensors. The enzyme biosensors detailed here are based on potentiometric, amperometric, conductimetric, optical, and thermal transducers, whereas the microbial biosensors are based on oxygen-gas electrode and optical techniques in which microorganisms are coupled to the signal transducer. All the techniques are thoroughly tested and are presented in sufficient detail to ensure robust and easily reproducible results. A companion volume, Affinity Biosensors: Protocols and Techniques, by Rogers & Mulchandani, concentrates on affinity biosensors based on optical, electrochemical, thermal, acoustic, and plasmon resource techniques as applied to nucleic acids, liposomes, and eukaryotic cells. Clearly the optimal starting point for all graduate students, postdoctoral and senior researchers, and technicians in academia, industry, and research establishments seeking rapid entry into the field of biosensors, Enzyme and Microbial Biosensors: Protocols and Techniques instantly becomes today's leading reference. Its step-by-step descriptions of various enzyme- and microbial-based biosensor techniques will allow both novices and experienced investigators alike successfully to apply these powerful new tools, and thus sharply enhance their laboratories' productivity.