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

Introduction to the course. Characteristics and classification of electrochemical biosensors. Commercial biosensors for clinical and  pharmaceutical applications. Elements of electrochemistry,  electrolyte conductivity. Conductometric Biosensors. Operating principles of potentiometric sensors with examples. Operating principles of BioFET with examples. Operating principles of impedenzimetric sensors with examples. Operating principles of piezoelectric sensors with examples. Operating principles of amperometric sensors. Chronoamperometry and voltammetry. Classification of biosensors on the basis of the nature of the recognition process. Enzymatic biosensors. Affinity biosensors: immunosensors with examples. Molecular interactions between Ab and Ag.  Primer of  the different types of non-covalent interactions. Hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions.  Biosensors based on DNA and aptamers. Example of construction of a DNA biosensor. Architecture of electrochemical biosensors : materials and methods of immobilization. Adsorption. Immobilization through the use of conductive polymers and non conductive polymers with examples. Miniaturized biosensors. Bio fuel cells.

Readings/Bibliography

Indications about reference texts (all available in the main libraries) will be done during the course. Papers and review articles will be also provided.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

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 http://campus.unibo.it/ before the corresponding lesson. Students are invited to print the presentations and bring them to classes.

Office hours

See the website of Catia Arbizzani