ABSTRACT
There has been a substantial amount of research into ways to incorporate whole cells, pieces of cells, or subcellular elements from bacteria, plants, and animals into biosensors while maintaining their natural biological or biochemical functions. Unique combinations of enzymes or highly sensitive physiological receptor mechanisms that are present in intact cells or tissues may be impossible to duplicate using isolated enzymes in the biosensor. It is also conceivable that living organisms could provide inexpensive sources for bioselective materials used in biosensors. Despite some successful research with various biological elements from intact tissues described in the following section, "living" biosensors have not been as widely explored as other types of biosensors and may be perceived as having fewer commercial applications.
