(725c) Nanobiosensor Applications

Different examples of nanobiosensors that have recently appeared in the open literature are briefly reviewed and analyzed. The examples were selected at random and may be classified into three broad categories depending on the analyte detected. These categories are: (a) medical applications, (b) DNA/RNA applications, and (c) other applications. The examples presented together and briefly analyzed provide one with a perspective of the different nanotechnology techniques and processes that have recently been used to develop effective nanobiosensors. The brief clasification presented above may not be a 'true picture' of the different categories where nanobiosensors are presently being used. Many more examples need to be included. Perhaps, other categories need to be defined where the classification may be expanded to include other examples. Neverthelees, with the classification presented the predominance of medical applications is clearly prevalent. With the current emphasis on the detection of biomarkers for different diseases such as MI (myocardial infarction), and autoimmune diseases such as RA (rheumatoid arthritis), and SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), medical applications of biosensors will continue to dominate the market, and the application of nanobiosensors to this area is not to be entiely unexpected. Of course, the quantitative detection of glucose in blood to manage DM (diabetes mellitus) will, as expected, continue to dominate the biosensor market thanks to the increasing obesity and minimum, if any, time spent by individuals on exercising activities. Many more biosensor applications selected preferably at random need to be picked up and placed in approporiate categories. Nevertheless, if one were to be cautious, one may state that it seems that applications of biosensors are expanding especially in the non-medical category. This is not entirely unexpected due to the ease of applications of biosensors to different areas and fields. This is reinforced by papers that were presented at two very recent international conferences on biosensor applications.