Recognition Receptors in Biosensors

This book presents a significant and up-to-date review of the various recognition receptors, their immobilization, and an overview of the used surface characterization techniques. It includes more than 150 illustrations that help explain the ideas presented.

This book presents a significant and up-to-date review of various recognition receptors, their immobilization, and an overview of surface characterization techniques. Distinguished scientists from key institutions worldwide have contributed chapters that provide a deep analysis of their particular subjects; at the same time, each topic is framed within the context of this integrated approach. This work explores comprehensively the field of recognition receptors, presenting a thorough review of the subject and effective integration of these receptors on sensor surfaces in order to appropriately convey state-of the-art fundamentals and applications of the most innovative approaches.

The book consists of four parts:

The first part comprises three chapters, which are devoted to the introduction of biomolecular recognition, surface sensitization and recognition receptors immobilization, as well as containing an overview of the analytical tools that can be used for surface characterization.

The second part describes the different natural recognition receptors (enzymes, antibodies, cells, tissues, plant tissues, peptides, bacteriophages and photosynthetic proteins) currently used in the field of biosensors and microarrays. It covers the theory behind each technique and delivers a detailed state-of-the-art review for each new technology.

The third part covers the recognition receptors that can be prepared and tailored by man to mimic natural molecules used in biosensors and microarrays. It describes in detail the use of engineered antibodies, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, oligonucleotides, aptamers, genetically engineered cells, genetically engineered proteins, phage display, molecularly imprinted polymers, and biomemetic materials as recognition elements.

The fourth part contains one chapter that briefly covers the kinetics and thermodynamics of association/dissociation of analytes to the recognition receptors on sensor surfaces.

Students and researchers who need a solid foundation or reference, and practitioners interested in discovering more about what is state-of-the-art in the field of recognition receptors will find this book invaluable. This book is written for academics, from undergraduate and postgraduate students upward, working in areas related to chemical/bio-sensors. It would be an important reference for, but not limited to, professionals working in varied fields including biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, biomedicine, physical chemistry, microsystem engineering, nanotechnology, veterinary, food QA, bioterrorism and security, as well as health surveillance. The book has more than 150 illustrations and figures to help explain and clarify the ideas presented.

Recognition receptors play a key role in the successful implementation of chemical and biosensors. Molecular recognition refers to non-covalent speci?c binding between molecules, one of which is typically a macromolecule or a molecular assembly, and the other is the target molecule (ligand or analyte). Biomolecular recognition is typically driven by many weak interactions such as hydrogen bo- ing, metal coordination, hydrophobic forces, van der Waals forces, pi-pi interactions and electrostatic interaction (due to permanent charges, dipoles, and quadrupoles) the polarization of charge distributions by the interaction partner leading to ind- tion and dispersion forces, and Pauli-exclusion-principle-derived inter-atomic repulsion, and a strong, “attractive” force arising largely from the entropy of the solvent and termed the hydrophobic effect. In recent years, there has been much progress in understanding the forces that drive the formation of such complexes, and how these forces are relate to the physical properties of the interacting molecules and their environment allows rational design of molecules and materials that interact in speci?c and desired ways. This book presents a signi?cant and up-to-date review of the various recognition elements, their immobilization, characterization techniques by a panel of dist- guished scientists. This work is a comprehensive approach to the recognition receptors area presenting a thorough knowledge of the subject and an effective integration of these receptors on sensor surfaces in order to appropriately convey the state-of the-art fundamentals and applications of the most innovative approaches.