Description: A biosensor is a device that uses biological materials, such as enzymes, antibodies, or cells, to detect chemical products or biological molecules. These devices combine a biological element with a transducer, which converts the biological signal into an electrical or other type of signal that can be measured and analyzed. Biosensors are highly specific and sensitive, allowing them to detect minimal concentrations of analytes in various samples. Their design can vary, but they generally include components such as a biological recognition system, a transducer, and a signal processing system. The relevance of biosensors lies in their ability to provide rapid and accurate results, making them ideal for applications in medicine, environmental monitoring, and food safety. Furthermore, their integration with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, wearables, and IoT sensors is expanding their usage possibilities, enabling continuous and real-time monitoring of various conditions and parameters.
History: Biosensors were first conceptualized in the 1960s when scientist L. C. Clark developed a device to measure blood glucose using an enzyme. Over the decades, the technology has evolved, and in the 1980s and 1990s, biosensors began to be commercialized for medical and environmental applications. The integration of technologies such as microelectronics and nanotechnology has enabled the development of more advanced and miniaturized biosensors.
Uses: Biosensors are used in a variety of applications, including glucose monitoring in diabetic patients, contaminant detection in water, food analysis for pathogen detection, and biomarker monitoring in clinical research. They are also being explored in public health for tracking infectious diseases.
Examples: An example of a biosensor is the glucose meter used by diabetics, which measures blood glucose levels through a small sample. Another example is the use of biosensors in the food industry to detect the presence of pathogenic bacteria in meat products.
