ABSTRACT
The dual nature of biosensors, that is, a biological element associated with a physical transducer, undoubtedly confers to such devices great potential provided the inherent fragility of the bioelement can be overcome. Higher selectivity, improved stability, and better sensitivity, as well as new specificities, are the requirements for better acceptance of biosensors by potential users. Some trends have been identified: Protein engineeringCatalytic antibodies ChemoreceptorsSupramolecular chemistry for sensing. Extreme sensitivity has been attained by using the intact chemosensing structures of antenules of the blue crab connected to a suction electrode utilized in electrophysiology. An alternative to overcome the relatively short lifetime of any biological sensing layer coated onto a conventional transducer is to use disposable and cheap tips, easily replaceable after each assay if necessary. A growing interest is devoted to optical sensors, especially those involving fiberoptics. Biosensors able to work in gaseous or organic phases would certainly contribute to such a goal.
