Nanostructures for Biosensing: From Sensing Principles to Applications (RSC Nanoscience & Nanotechnology)

There is an increasing demand for highly sensitive, reliable, rapid and inexpensive biosensors from many diverse fields including medicine, biotechnology, pharmacy, environment, food, and agriculture. This is the first book to provide a coherent approach and update to biosensors based on nanostructured materials. It gives a review of current biosensing devices, together with a review of the physico-chemical properties of nanostructures, functionalization and immobilization techniques, and transducing techniques. The book focuses on solid state devices, in addition to optical, gravimetric and electrochemical devices, thus providing a comprehensive view of the field. The book starts by reviewing the fundamental principles of nanostructures, together with functionalization and immobilization techniques before considering the practical aspects of biosensing using nanostructured materials. Practical aspects of biosensors such as sensing principles, performance and materials are then reviewed. Particular attention is paid to how biosensor performance is influenced by the nanostructured nature of materials and the advantages and disadvantages of using nanometer-scale sensors and transducers. Finally, many different applications of biosensors are presented and future prospects are discussed. The book uses a non-mathematical and descriptive approach, thus allowing readers from diverse specialisms to benefit from the book. It is aimed at a broad readership including researchers, professors, consultants and students from such fields as biology, chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering.Jennings, Alvin is the author of 'Nanostructures for Biosensing: From Sensing Principles to Applications (RSC Nanoscience & Nanotechnology)', published 2010 under ISBN 9780854041978 and ISBN 0854041974.