Biosensor Companies and Manufacturers

This page provides a list of biosensor companies involved in the design, development, and manufacturing of various types of biosensors. It also outlines key parameters to consider when purchasing biosensors for specific applications.

What is a Biosensor?

A biosensor is an analytical device that detects an analyte and combines this detection with a physicochemical detector or transducer. In simpler terms, it’s a device that uses a biological component to recognize a substance and then converts that recognition into a measurable signal.

A biosensor typically consists of three main components:

1. Bioreceptor: A biological molecule (e.g., enzyme, antibody, DNA) that recognizes the target analyte.
2. Transducer: An element that converts the recognition event into a measurable signal, often an electrical signal.
3. Electronics Circuit with Display Unit: This amplifies and processes the electrical signal, displaying the result in an appropriate unit or format.

Figure 1: Biosensor diagram

The bioreceptor and transducer are often integrated onto a single sensor. As an example, measuring glucose levels can be done by simply dipping a specially designed biosensor into a sample. Biosensors are known for their simple construction and quick measurement capabilities.

There are various types of biosensors, categorized by their working principles, such as:

• Piezoelectric sensors
• Electrochemical sensors
• Optical sensors

Biosensor Selection Parameters

When selecting a biosensor for a specific application, consider the following specifications and parameters:

• Sensitivity: This is the measure of the biosensor’s response to a unit change in analyte concentration.
• Selectivity: This refers to the biosensor’s ability to respond only to the desired target analyte while ignoring interfering chemicals.
• Range: The concentration range over which the biosensor exhibits good sensitivity. Also known as the dynamic range or linearity.
• Response Time: The time required for the biosensor to indicate 63% of its final response to a step change in analyte concentration.
• Reproducibility: The accuracy with which the biosensor output can be achieved consistently.
• Detection Limit: The lowest concentration of the analyte to which the biosensor provides a measurable response.
• Stability: This parameter characterizes the change in the biosensor’s sensitivity (or baseline) over a constant period.
• Lifetime: The period over which the biosensor can be used without performance degradation.

Biosensor companies take many factors into account during the development process, including the selection of a suitable bioreceptor, immobilization method, transducer design, and packaging. Manufacturers finalize various specifications, such as measurement range, linearity, sensitivity, and selectivity.

List of Biosensor Companies and Manufacturers

The following table provides a list of biosensor companies involved in the design, development, and manufacturing of biosensors. These manufacturers specialize in sensors for diverse bio-applications.

Other biosensor companies include DNA Electronics, Electrozyme, CytoSMART Technologies, and Genspeed Biotech.