Biosensors and Bioelectronics

The module will start by introducing the field of biosensors including the medical and economic drivers for important applications. We will cover basic operation principles of the different biosensor classes, give the theoretical background for electrochemical and optical transduction mechanisms and introduce the types of biorecognition elements used in current sensor concepts. We will then proceed to discuss in detail major biosensor classes and architectures including application examples ranging from molecular to cell-based sensors. We will highlight disposable sensors and fabrication methods for point-of-care applications and finally address recent developments in new sensor concepts based on single-molecule techniques and stochastic sensing.

Topics:
• Introduction to biosensors: historical developments, applications and predicted trends
• Introduction to biological recognition elements for sensor concepts
• Physical transduction mechanisms
• Enzymatic sensor concepts and selected examples (glucose oxidase enzyme electrode)
• DNA-sensors
• Immunosensors
• Cell-based biosensors
• In-vivo biosensors
• Disposable biosensors in point-of-care applications: Concepts and fabrication
• Advanced biosensor methods (stochastic detection, single-molecule techniques)

After participation in this module, the students are able to:
1. describe the different biorecognition elements and their application in biosensors
2. describe the major classes of point-of-care biosensors
3. understand the major principles employed in current electrochemical biosensor designs.
4. carry out bioelectronic measurements with relevance to on-chip neuroscience
5. analyze stochastic sensing experiments based on single-particle detection techniques
6. evaluate cell-chip coupling experiments

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or equivalent.

The module will comprise introductory block lectures (2 SWS) and a block practical course (4 SWS). The lectures will introduce the students to the concepts of biosensors and cell-based bioelectronics. During the lab course, the students will carry out and analyze state-of-the-art bioelectronics and sensor experiments. Thereby the students will achieve a deeper understanding and learn to apply the topics of the module in a research environment. In combination, this will help the students to acquire the teaching goals, which are listed above.

The lecture uses PowerPoint slides and oral discussions to cover the course's topics. In the practical class, the topics will be treated in the form of experiments including setup, data acquisition, and analysis as well as further discussions.

[1] B. J. Kirby, Micro- and Nanoscale Fluid Mechanics, 1st ed. (Cambridge University Press, New York, 2013).
[2] A. J. Bard and L. R. Faulkner, Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and Applications, 2. (Wiley, New York, 2001).

The exam is taken in the form of lab perfomance. To this end 10-15 experiments will be carried out and accompanied by discussions with the tutor on the progress of the experiments and consequent next steps (40% of the overall grade). After the practical class, the student will write a report summarizing the contents of the class incl. theoretical background, literature research, preparation and execution of the experiments, necessary calculations, their documentation as well as interpretation in relation to the aim of the class (60% of the overall grade).
The written report demonstrates the student’s ability to summarize the theoretical background of a bioelectronic experiment and to analyze and evaluate the results. The regular discussions with the tutor measure the student’s ability to follow an experimental concept within a given timeframe and identify challenges at the interface of electronics and biology.