BIOTECHNOLOGY - Inshyna N.M. - 2009

CHAPTER 5. INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Bioelectronics

A novel branch of bioindustry is bioelectronics, which aims to develop biosensors. Biosensors comprise immobilized microorganisms or their components. For instance, protein molecules act as semiconductors within these sensors.

Biosensors are employed for Qualitative and quantitative analysis of a wide range of substances. They are utilized in environmental monitoring to detect environmental contamination by radionuclides, heavy metals, and nitrites. Biosensors are user-friendly, allowing measurements to be performed both in laboratory and field settings.

The main advantages of biosensors include:

- high selectivity and sensitivity;

- miniature size;

- low cost under mass production.

The global leaders in biosensor manufacturing are the Japanese companies

Hitachi and Sharp. In Ukraine, the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine has developed a series of next-generation analytical devices based on Enzymes and microbial Cells. Biosensors are constructed by applying microbial cells to The surface of ion-selective electrodes. For example, *Neurospora europaea* is used to determine ammonia concentration, and *Trichosporon brassicae* is used for acetic acid. Monoclonal Antibodies with high Specificity or microbial enzymes are employed as sensing elements. A biosensor featuring the enzyme glucose oxidase on the electrode surface can determine glucose content in 100 Blood samples within one hour.

The future of Diagnostics—whether clinical, sanitary, or environmental—is inextricably linked to the application of biosensors.