Biosensors & Biomolecular Analysis
Biosensors are devices used to detect a biological analyte's presence or concentration, such as a biomolecule, a biological structure or a micro-organism. Biosensors are composed of three parts: a component that recognizes the analyte, and produces a signal, a signal transducer, and a reader.
Biomolecules provide the foundation of life. Biomolecular analysis involves the characterization of polymeric biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, and single biomolecules as well. Some of the available techniques include absorbance spectroscopy, fluorimetry, luminometry, gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, and high-performance analytical liquid chromatography. Results produced by the electrophoresis of either 1D or 2D gel can be acquired and analyzed through fluorescence and phosphorus imagers. A separate portion of the mass spectrometry is covered in detail.