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BIOMARKERS
Most of the biosensors' market is in the medical field, and biosensors have a huge potential in detecting major, potentially fatal diseases. In order to test which cure will annihilate the disease-causing agent, scientists use biomarkers, or a biological molecule that is either a sign of a normal process, or a condition of a disease, to see how well the body copes with the treatment. There is a huge call for a faster and cheaper method of extracting these biomarkers, and biosensors fit the demands perfectly. Biosensors are able to identify these biomarkers and this data can help doctors greatly during diagnosis and treatment. They also provide extra verification that the disease doctors believe to have caused the symtoms are in fact that very disease. Below are some of the biomarkers biosensors have managed to detect:
Cancer is second leading cause of death in the US and while therapies and cures are being discovered constantly, studies have shown that the earlier the detection, the higher likelihood of the treatment being successful and the patient surviving. In order to detect the cancer, researchers used to locate the specific biomarker with tedious, long processes, but now can utilize biosensors to finish the task within minutes.
Biosensors can be used to detect cancer indicators for classifying tumors, diagnosing patients, monitoring treatment, and knowing if the disease will reoccur. For example, an immunosensor with electrochemical detection can detect the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) used to stipulate prostate cancer.
Similar with cancer, early detection can increase the chance of a successful treatment and can even prevent the disease. Therefore, electrochemical and optical biosensors are utilized to detect the indicators. In a matter of minutes, biosensors can diagnose someone with myocardial infarction by monitoring its biomarker, cardiac troponin T (TnT), as soon as it enters the patient's bloodstream signaling the attack. Another biosensor can percieve C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker for low-grade inflammation of a morbid cardiovascular event.
Autoimmune Disease Detection
Autoimmune diseases, which are diseases that make the immune system attack the body rather than protect it, can be detected quickly through biosensors instead of the usual enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). By detecting the La protein in only 80 minutes, an optical biosensor can reveal rheumatic disorders, systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and Sjogren's syndrome (SS) by using porous silicon (pSi) technology. Thus, patients can recieve diagnosis quicker and the right treatment can be given to them. People suffering from high immunodefiency disorder (HIV) can also benefit from biosensors. A research team from the University of Illinois have created a biosensor using light technology to detect traces of the viruses in humans. They plan to create an app for smartphones so that the biosensor will be used to its full potential helping others.
Cancer Biomarker
Cardiovascular Disease Biomarker
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