Optical Biosensors

Optical biosensors are a form of biosensor that detects and measures the presence of a biological or chemical analyte using light. They work on the premise of detecting changes in a material's optical characteristics in response to the binding of an analyte to a receptor molecule.

There are several types of optical biosensors, including surface plasmon resonance (SPR), fluorescence, and bioluminescence biosensors. SPR biosensors detect changes in a surface's refractive index caused by biomolecular interactions, whereas fluorescence and bioluminescence biosensors detect changes in the intensity or wavelength of emitted light.

Optical biosensors have several advantages over other types of biosensors. They are very sensitive and selective, capable of detecting numerous analytes at the same time, and are easily miniaturized. They are also non-destructive and have a low detection limit, making them excellent for real-time monitoring and in-field applications.

Optical biosensors have a wide range of applications, including medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. I They can be used in medical diagnostics to detect illness biomarkers, monitor drug levels, and do genetic analysis. In environmental monitoring, optical biosensors can be used in environmental monitoring to identify toxins in water and air. They can be used in food safety to detect infections in food products.

Overall, optical biosensors are a highly efficient instrument for detecting and quantifying biological and chemical components. Ongoing research is aimed at increasing their sensitivity, selectivity, and stability in order to broaden their application in a various field.