Abstract
A microbial biosensor is an analytical device with a biologically integrated transducer that generates a measurable signal indicating the analyte concentration. This method is ideally suited for the analysis of extracellular chemicals and the environment, and for metabolic sensory regulation. Although microbial biosensors show promise for application in various detection fields, some limitations still remain such as poor selectivity, low sensitivity, and impractical portability. To overcome such limitations, microbial biosensors have been integrated with many recently developed micro/nanotechnologies and applied to a wide range of detection purposes. This review article discusses micro/nanotechnologies that have been integrated with microbial biosensors and summarizes recent advances and the applications achieved through such novel integration. Future perspectives on the combination of micro/nanotechnologies and microbial biosensors will be discussed, and the necessary developments and improvements will be strategically deliberated.
Highlights
Biosensors are analytical tools that are generally used to detect or recognize specific elements
We have discussed the integration of micro/ nanotechnologies with microbial biosensors and their applications
Microbial biosensors have been under a wide range of investigations in recent decades, but they seem to be typically limited by several factors such as low sensitivity, poor selectivity, difficult sensor engineering, and stochastic heterogeneity
Summary
Biosensors are analytical tools that are generally used to detect or recognize specific elements. Determination of target compounds or environmental factors using microbial biosensors seems to be imprecise as it requires traditional analytical methods including test tubes or hand pipettes, making it highly dependent on the technical skill of researchers. In addition to such instrumental limitations, the relatively poor sensitivity and selectivity of microbial biosensors are still critical issues and this can be attributed to the nature of biological sensing mechanisms. Another intrinsic limitation of microbial biosensors is the slow response caused by decelerated diffusion of substrates and products through the cell wall (Su et al, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
