Synthetic Biology-Based Implantable Optical Biosensor
Optical biosensors can be implantable devices that detect a wide range of substances from biomarkers to toxins and aberrant cells. The piece describes a biosensor that Swiss engineers (EPFL) developed to monitor glucose levels in diabetics. Because salt in body fluids can reduce the sensitivity and selectivity of an implanted sensor, the designers wrapped the carbon nanotube device in synthetic strands of DNA which better tolerated salt variations. As they concluded: “By monitoring both the intensity of the nanotubes’ signal and shifting of the signal’s wavelength, the researchers were able to verify that the bioengineered sensors showed greater stability over a larger range of salt concentrations than the DNA sensors traditionally used in the field.” MORE
Image Credit: Alessandra Antonucci