Biosensors

Biosensors are analytical devices for detection of the biologic material which may include biomolecules, biological structures or microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, algae, spores). Nowadays, they are being used for food safety evaluation, environmental monitoring, or for early detection of infectious diseases in biomedicine.

We work on the development of new point-of-need biosensor transducers, biofunctionalization of the sensors with bioreceptors, and sensor integration into microfluidic systems. Developed biosensors are being implemented for detection of bacteria in food and water, detection of cyanobacterial toxins produced during harmful algal blooms, as well as for a fast detection of faecal bacteria and other microbiological pathogens in water.

More concrete, we focus our research on development of new nanomaterials for functionalization of the biosensor electrodes and fabrication of new electrochemical transducers using different fabrication technologies. Particular attention is dedicated to new materials which will enable selective and efficient binding of the analytes and to the novel biosensor designs to increase the selectivity, sensitivity and limit of detection. Therefore, we develop the novel methods of graphene modification, and the mask-less methods of graphene patterning and integration to conventional industrial routes.

A special focus is placed on biosensors containing enzymes, antibodies and nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) as recognition elements. This research is performed in close collaboration with the Center for Biosystems in which experts work on biomolecular engineering and molecular detection methods including the cutting-edge isothermal methods for nucleic acid amplification such as LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) and RPA (recombinase polymerase amplification) and other ways of molecular detection which can be well combined with the biosensing methods.

In addition, BioSense Institute works on the new types of biosensors for monitoring nutrients and products of cellular metabolism during cultured meat production, as another example of excellent multidisciplinary collaboration with the Center for BioSystems and the researchers working on Cellular agriculture topics.

Collaborative projects with the Center for Biosystems:

H2020 MSCA-RISE IPANEMA GA 872662 – Integration of PAper-based Nucleic acid testing mEthods into Microfluidic devices for improved biosensing Applications

REALSENSE1 – Monitoring of cell culture parameters using sensors for biomass and nutrients/metabolites in media: Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) approach, 2019-2021; Good Food Institute Inaugural Competitive Grant Program.

REALSENSE2 – From lab-on-a-chip to custom bioreactor: scale up modeling study, 2020-2022 Good Food Institute Competitive Grant Program