(701a) Nanobiosensors

Applications of nanomataerials to nanobiosensors are reviewed. Particular emphasis will be placed on the enhancement of biosensor parameters such as sensitivity, selectivity, economics, response time etc, if any. Some of the examples presented and analyzed include: (a) Multi-function cross-linked Au nanoagregates for optical DNA detection (Li et al., 2009), (b) Nano-bio-chips for high performance multi-plexed protein detection: determination of cancer markers in serum and saliva using quantum dot and bioconjugate labels (Jokers et al., 2009), (c) Nonenzymatic glucose sensor based on renewable electrospun Ni nanopaticle-loaded carbon nanofiber paste electrode (Liu et al., 2009),(d)The development and in-vitro characterization of an intracellular microsensor responsive to reactive oxygen species (Henderson et al,. 2009), (e) Nanotube-based biosensor for the detection of disease-specific autoantibodies in human serum (Drouvalakis et al., 2008), (f) Periodic plasmonic nanostructures as efficient SERS (surface enhanced raman spectra) substrates for biosensing (Lin et al, 2009), (g) DNA hybridization detection using spectral chnages of zinc-selenide nanocrystals (Wang et al., 2009), and (h) Layer-by-layer assembly of multiwall carbon nanotube ultrathin films for biosensing (Mantha et al., 2009). The examples presented together and briefly analyzed provide one with a perspective of the different nanotechnology techniques and processes that have been recently used to develop effective nanobiosensors. The examples selected were at random. With the current emphasis on the detection of biomarkers for different diseases such as MI (myocardial infarction), and authoimmune diseases such as RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), medical applications of bisensors wil continue to dominate the market, and the application of nanobiosensors to this area is not to be entirely unexpected. However, applications of nanobiosensors to non-medical areas will also continue to increase due to the ease of applications