ABSTRACT
Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................ 380
References .................................................................................................................................... 380
The sol-gel process and its use in the encapsulation of biomolecules of various kinds have recently
seen important developments. Since its first introduction over two decades ago, sol-gel encapsula-
tion has opened intriguing new ways to immobilize biological materials that offer an immense
potential for the design of a large variety of applications. A great number of biomolecules,
including enzymes, antibodies (Abs) (monoclonal, polyclonal, recombinant, and catalytic),
DNA, RNA, and live animal, plant, bacterial, and fungal cells as well as whole protozoa have
been encapsulated and then tested and implemented as optical and electrochemical sensors as well
as core components of diagnostic, chromatographic, and catalytic devices.
