Sensors, biosensors and electronic noses (6 credits)
Prof.  R. Biesuz
Chemo and biosensors are based on the interaction between the molecule of interest and a suitable receptor. The sensor is constituted by the integration of the adduct formation with the transduction of the signal generated by the interaction.  Some of the presently most used receptors will be described, i.e. biomolecules as proteins (antibodies, enxymes) and nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, aptamers). A particular kind of synthetical solid receptors, i.e. the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) will be presented too. MIPs represent an interesting class of biomimetic receptors, with noticeable benefits with respect to the biological molecules. The most used transduction techniques, both based on markers and label-free, will be briefly described.
A very good selectivity is obtained using the bio or biomimetic receptors. A different approach is based on the simultaneous use of several sensors not very specific. Devices of this kind are often indicated as “electronic noses” or “electronic tongues”, depending on the phase in which the determination is carried out. The responses of the single sensor are analyzed by chemometric approaches. Some methods will be presented.
The course is constituted by 24 hours.
Final exam: presentation and discussion of a recent research paper concerning the issues of the course.