67165 - Electrochemical and Piezoelectric Biosensors

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student has physical-chemical skills for the realization and use of biosensors based on electrochemical and piezoelectric transduction mechanisms. In particular, the student is able to describe the properties of the different types of biosensor on the basis of transducer (potentiometric, amperometric, conductimetric, impedenzimetric and piezoelectric) and of the nature of the recognition process (enzimatic or affinity) and acquires knowledge on the immobilization processes of the biologic materials and on the physical-chemical properties of the supporting materials. 

Course contents

The course consists of 12 lessons of 2 hours each.

1-Introduction to the course.
Characteristics and classification of electrochemical biosensors.
Commercial biosensors for clinical and pharmaceutical applications.

2- Basics of electrochemistry.

3-Principles of operation of potentiometric sensors
Types of membranes in the ISEs
Examples of assembly of membrane potentiometric biosensors

4-Operating principles of amperometric sensors.
Chronoamperometry
Examples of amperometric biosensors

5-Voltammetric techniques.
Examples of amperometric biosensors

6-Operating principles of impedance sensors
Examples of impedance-based biosensors

7-Principles of operation of BioFET with examples.

8-Principles of operation of piezoelectric sensors with examples.

9-Classification of biosensors based on the nature of the recognition process
Enzymatic and microbial biosensors.

10-Architecture of electrochemical biosensors
Materials and methods of immobilization
Conductive polymers

11-Affinity biosensors: immunosensors
Molecular interactions between Ab and Ag
Immunosensory classification
Examples of immunosensors
Basics of non-covalent interactions
Hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions.

12-DNA-based biosensors.
Aptamers.
Example of assemby of DNA biosensors (movie).
Miniaturized biosensors. Bio fuel cells.

Readings/Bibliography

The reference text is Chemical Sensors and Biosensors - Fundamentals and Applications by Florinel-Gabriel Banica's.

All the bibliographic references indicated in the presentations used in class will be provided as supporting material.

Many of these articles are periodically replaced with more recent ones.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

It is advisable to attend classes for a better understanding of the topics.

Assessment methods

The final exam is oral and based on a program topic chosen by the student and two or more questions on the main program topics.The exam aims to determine both the acquisition of expected knowledge by the course program and the student's ability to find links among the covered topics, also using the reference material provided by the teacher. Each student receives a mark based on the ability to present in concise and complete manner the specific issues. Organic vision and criticism of the topics and mastery of specific language will be evaluated very positively; mnemonic knowledge of the subject, lack of synthesis and inappropriate specific language will be evaluated not so positively. The final mark, expressed in thirtieths,will be an average of the two modules of the IC Biosensors.

Teaching tools

Power point presentations used during the lessons and any  research material will be provided to the students in electronic format via Internet. The power point presentations used during the course will be uploaded on the site Insegnamenti on line before the corresponding lesson. It is advisable to consult the ppt presentations before the lesson in order to be able to follow the lesson in a proactive way. It is suggested to download (or print) presentations and bring them to class in order to integrate them with notes.

Links to further information

https://site.unibo.it/leme/en

Office hours

See the website of Catia Arbizzani