Entry requirements

120 credits and knowledge and achievements corresponding to the course Structure and Function of Biomolecules, 10 credits or equivalent.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student should be able to :

• describe how biospecific interaction is used for various applications
• describe the most common sensor principles used today, such as electric, optical, and mechanic registration.
• compare different techniques with emphasis on sensitivity and selectivity.
• describe and critically evaluate a selected application of a biosensor.

Content

Examples of how biosensors are used for different applications. Method validation. Protein/antibody-based sensors: protein immobilisation, specificity, binding constants, kinetics, diffusion. Electrochemical and optical sensors/transducers. Potentiometric methods. Redox-enzymes in amperometric methods. Conductimetric methods. Applications of the quartz microbalance. Optical methods: UV/Vis/IR, fluorescence, luminescence, fibre optics, surface plasmon resonance. Diagnostics and other biosensor applications are discussed critically with special emphasis on sensitivity, selectivity and stability.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, project.

Assessment

Written exam at the end of the course (3 credits). Project is assigned 2 credits.