Biosensors are increasingly important in modern technology, particularly in healthcare, environmental monitoring and industrial applications. These devices enable rapid and accurate detection of biological substances, helping scientists and professionals monitor health conditions, detect contaminants and improve research methodologies. To successfully integrate the right type of biosensor, engineers need to understand their components, use cases and application examples that incorporate biosensor technology.
A biosensor is a device that detects the concentration of a specific analyte (the substance that needs to be detected in a given application) in a solution by measuring the biological or chemical reactions that occur when it interacts with a bioreceptor. The bioreceptor is a molecule that specifically recognises the analyte, ensuring high specificity and accuracy in detection. These devices convert biological responses into quantifiable electrical, optical or thermal signals, making them essential tools in various scientific and industrial applications.
Biosensors consist of several key components, each playing a crucial role in their functionality.
Biosensors have diverse applications across multiple fields. Below are some of the key use cases
Biosensors play a crucial role in the early detection of diseases such as diabetes, cancer and infectious diseases. For example, they can measure blood glucose levels, detect specific cancer biomarkers or identify pathogens in patient samples.
Biosensors are used to detect pollutants, toxins, and pathogens in air, water and soil. They help ensure compliance with environmental regulations and safeguard public health by identifying hazardous substances in real-time.
Pharmaceutical researchers use biosensors to screen potential drug candidates, monitor cellular responses and study biomolecular interactions. This accelerates drug development and enhances the efficiency of clinical trials.
Biosensors help detect contaminants, allergens and pathogens in food and beverages, ensuring consumer safety. They can identify bacterial contamination, pesticide residues and spoilage indicators, supporting the food industry’s quality control processes.
Lateral flow biosensors, such as pregnancy tests and COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, use capillary action to transport a sample across a test strip containing specific bioreceptors. A visible line or colour change indicates the presence of the target analyte.
Glucose biosensors, widely used by diabetics, measure blood glucose levels using enzymatic reactions that generate an electrical signal proportional to glucose concentration. These devices enable continuous glucose monitoring and improve diabetes management.
Advancements in biosensor technology have led to the development of wearable devices that track biomarkers in sweat, saliva or interstitial fluid. These sensors help monitor hydration, stress levels, and metabolic changes in real-time.
Biosensors rely on a range of materials to facilitate the accurate detection and quantification of analytes. The choice of material directly impacts sensor performance, including sensitivity, stability and scalability. Historically, noble metals such as gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) have been widely used due to their excellent bio-compatibility and stability in biological environments. Additionally, carbon-based materials, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, have emerged as cost-effective alternatives, particularly in electrochemical biosensors where conductivity is crucial.
However, the limitations of traditional materials are becoming increasingly apparent. Au and Pt can cause inherent background (unwanted signals or noise from non-specific interactions) to assays, are expensive and have limited supply, whilst graphene-based materials suffer from batch-to-batch reproducibility issues. Whilst these are not major challenges for piezoelectric and optical biosensors that can use different transducer materials, electrochemical biosensors suffer greatly from scalability issues as they rely on these materials.
Biosensors are revolutionising industries by enabling rapid and precise detection of biological analytes. Their performance depends on key components and, critically, the materials used. Traditional options like Au and Pt are effective but cause inherent background and are costly, while carbon-based alternatives often lack reproducibility, limiting scalability.
Gii overcomes these challenges as a highly conductive, scalable, and cost-effective carbon nanomaterial. With large surface area, anti-fouling properties and reproducibility, it enhances electrochemical biosensors beyond traditional high abundance targets (e.g. glucose) for applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring and food safety, advancing next-generation sensor technology. As biosensor technology continues to evolve, it will unlock new possibilities for health monitoring, scientific research, and environmental protection. To find out more about Gii and its great potential, download our guide below.