93308 - Biosensors

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will understand: - the theoretical principles and applications of (nano)biosensors in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields; - the composition and operation of different types of optical biosensors, based on the type of components, the mechanisms of signal recognition and detection; - the principles and techniques for the construction of integrated analytical systems, cellular biosensors, nanobiosensors, and for in vitro and in vivo imaging; - the principles of physical chemistry and electrochemistry for the construction and use of electrochemical biosensors; - the composition and operation of different types of electrochemical biosensors, based on the type of transducer and the molecular recognition process.

Course contents

Module 1

Introduction to biosensors: history, specifications of biosensors and analytical performance, classification of biosensors by molecular recognition element and by transduction system, catalytic and affinity-based biosensors.

Molecular recognition elements: enzymes, antibodies, chimeric antibodies, nanobodies, non-antibody binding proteins, molecular imprinted polymers, aptamers, DNA, RNA, PNA.

Overview on main trasduction systems with a focus on optical transduction systems (absorbance, luminescent, label-free…)

Components of optical biosensors: light sources, detectors, analytical formats, waveguides and optical fibres, implementation of optical fibres in biosensors, miniaturization.

Fluorescence-based biosensors: quenching and energy transfer processes, biosensors for metals and organic species, biosensors based on enzymatic, immunological and nucleic acid hybridization reactions, biosensors employing quantum dots, applications of fluorescence-based biosensors.

Chemiluminescence- and bioluminescence-based biosensors: chemiluminescent and bioluminescent systems, biosensors based on enzymatic, immunological and nucleic acid hybridization reactions, applications of chemiluminescence-based biosensors.

Label-free optical sensors: Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)-based and Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW)-based biosensors, principles of SPR and SAW biosensors, instrumentation, recognition processes, applications of SPR and SAW biosensors.

Whole-cell luminescent biosensors: principles of whole-cell luminescent biosensors, reporter genes and proteins, molecular recognition elements, whole-cell biosensors based on FRET and BRET processes. Applications of whole-cell bioluminescent biosensors: detections of specific analytes, toxicity assays, high-throughput and high-content screening.

Marketed biosensors, state of the art of biosensors for point-of care and point of need applications with critical assessment of main advantages and limitations of different biosensing strategies.

 

Module 2

Characteristics and classification of electrochemical biosensors.

Commercial biosensors for clinical and pharmaceutical applications.

Fundamentals of electrochemistry: electrodes and the Nernst equation.

Operating principles of potentiometric sensors.

Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) and types of ion-selective membranes.

Examples of potentiometric membrane biosensors.

Architecture of electrochemical biosensors: materials, transducers, and immobilization methods.

Conductive polymers.

Enzymatic biosensors: operating principles and examples.

Affinity biosensors: operating principles and examples.

Operating principles of amperometric sensors.

Chronoamperometry.

Voltammetric techniques.

Examples of amperometric and voltammetric biosensors.

Operating principles of impedimetric biosensors.

Examples of impedimetric biosensors.

Operating principles of BioFETs.

Examples of BioFET-based biosensors.

Readings/Bibliography

Module 1

Biosensors and Nanotechnology: Applications in Health Care Diagnostics. Zeynep Altintas (Editor) ISBN: 978-1-119-06501-2 December 2017

Bioanalytical Chemistry (English Edition) 2nd Edition, Wiley di Susan R. Mikkelsen, Eduardo Cortón, ISBN: 1118302540, 2016

Scientific publications will be provided during the course.

Module 2

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.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

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

Assessment methods

Module 1

The learning assessment takes place through final oral examination, which ensures the achievement of the following learning objectives:

- basic notions about theoretical principles of biosensors and their applications in biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields

- main components of biosensors; main optical transduction mechanisms employed in biosensors and their analytical performance

- immobilization and bioconjugation methods employed for the development of biosensors

- the basic principles of microfluidics and design of lab-on-chip integrated analytical devices;

- principles of whole-cell-biosensors

- selection of the most suitable biosensing approach for applications such as drug screening, biomarker discovery, chemical-clinical monitoring with Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) devices.

Module 2

The final assessment consists of an oral examination aimed at evaluating, through the discussion of a topic chosen by the student and the answer to two or more questions on the main topics covered in the course, both the acquisition of the knowledge specified in the course syllabus and the student's ability to critically navigate the subjects addressed, also making use of the bibliographic material provided by the instructor. Students are assessed on their ability to present the specific topics in a clear, concise, and comprehensive manner. A well-structured and critical understanding of the topics covered, together with the appropriate use of scientific terminology, will be evaluated particularly positively. Conversely, a predominantly memoristic approach, a lack of synthesis, and the use of language that is not always appropriate will be evaluated less positively. The final grade, expressed on a 30-point scale, will be calculated as the average of the grade obtained in this module and that obtained in the other module of the course.

Students have the right to reject the proposed positive grade once (in accordance with the University Teaching Regulations, ART.16, paragraph 5).

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Students recognized as “working students”: please consult the dedicated website (https://www.unibo.it/en/study/guide-to-choosing-your-programme/balancing-study-and-work ) to apply for this status and to learn about the available measures.

Regarding learning assessment, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be delivered using PowerPoint presentations and an overhead projector. All PowerPoint presentations used during the course, together with any additional teaching or research material, will be made available to students in electronic format. The lecture slides will be uploaded to the virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/ ) before the corresponding lecture. Students are encouraged to consult the slides in advance to facilitate active participation during class. It is also recommended that students download or print the presentations and bring them to class to complement them with their own notes.

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Rapino

See the website of Elisa Michelini