Biosensor

Biosensors: They are defined as analytical devices which include a combination of biological detecting elements like sensor system and a transducer.

The sensitive biological element, e.g. tissue, microorganisms, organelles, cell receptors, enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acids, etc., is a biologically derived material that interacts with, binds with, or recognizes the analyte under study.

The transducer or the detector element, which transforms one signal into another one, works in a physicochemical way: optical, piezoelectric, electrochemical, electrochemiluminescence etc., resulting from the interaction of the analyte with the biological element, to easily measure and quantify.

A biosensor typically consists of a bio-receptor (enzyme/antibody/cell/nucleic acid), transducer component (semi-conducting material/nanomaterial), and electronic system which includes a signal amplifier, processor & display. In a biosensor, the bioreceptor is designed to interact with the specific analyte of interest to produce an effect measurable by the transducer. High selectivity for the analyte among a matrix of other chemical or biological components is a key requirement of the bioreceptor.

The first 'true' biosensor was developed by Leland C. Clark in 1956 for oxygen detection. He is known as the ‘Father of Biosensors' and his invention of the oxygen electrode bears his name: 'Clark electrode'.

Ideal Conditions

Linearity: Linearity of the sensor should be high for the detection of high substrate concentration.

Sensitivity: Value of the electrode response per substrate concentration.

Selectivity: Chemical interference must be minimized for obtaining correct result.

Response time: Time necessary for having 95% of the response.

Piezoelectric Biosensors

Pulse oximetry uses light to work out oxygen saturation Light is emitted from light sources which goes across the pulse oximeter probe. If a finger is placed in between the light source and the light detector, the light will now have to pass through the finger to reach the detector part of the light will be absorbed by the finger and the part not absorbed reaches the light detector. The amount of light that is absorbed by the finger depends on many physical properties and these properties are used by the pulse oximeter to calculate the oxygen saturation.

1. concentration of the light absorbing substance.

2. length of the light path in the absorbing substance

3. oxyhaemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin absorbs red and infrared light differently

IoT

IoT: It describes physical objects (or groups of such objects) that are embedded with sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communications networks.

Apps with advanced computing ability are capable to run multiple advanced application and have tremendous practices in Biotechnology.

Mobile phones along with various devices & sensors are commonly used for production management, climate control, molecular diagnosis, education, and data management into a portable, simple to use application.

Applications of IoT

• Monitoring of Environmental Factors

• Large-Scale industrial production

• Crop improvement in Agriculture

• Monitoring of instruments

• To control climatic parameters

• Product quality management

• Data storage and security

• Publication of new findings and Patenting

• Automation of tests in the diagnosis of biohazards

• Sensors, actuators, and devices (“things”) embedded in production equipment and networked through computer systems can generate an enormous amount of data.

IoT Design Requirements

To meet future needs, designs must include the following

• Intelligent, self-regulating, and self-controlling components for plug-and-produce

• Flexibility to enable economical manufacturing of different types of batches and sizes, fast balancing of the workload in a production network, and prompt adjustment to the orders in hand

• Comprehensive condition monitoring to avoid downtime and optimize maintenance procedures and mobile maintenance.

Benefits for Biotech and Pharma

1) Digitization of Pneumatics

Recent introduction of the Motion Terminal revolutionizes pneumatic valve functionality. It does this by combining mechanics, electronics, and software in the form of a cyber-physical system. The Motion Terminal is the first valve to be controlled by apps. With installed corresponding Motion apps, functions can be changed with a simple command or at the press of a button, whether for a simple change in the directional control valve functions, energy saving mode, proportional characteristics, or a format change.

2) Preventative Maintenance

The ability to analyze streaming data to assess conditions, recognize warning signs, and service equipment prior to failures prevents costly equipment downtime. Strategically scheduling preventative maintenance for when equipment is not in use further reduces downtime. Technology has played a transformative role in our lives and its impact on human health is never felt more than in the current times of the Covid-19 global pandemic. In this scenario, development of autonomous health sensing and actuating systems, also referred to as closed loop systems that ‘sense’ and ‘act’ towards a biological condition, can play a critical role in addressing health crises of the future.

3) System Diagnostics

Ability to determine the health of the system can prevent costly downtime. Data and insights from an IoT-enabled manufacturing system can provide real-time intelligence about the current component and system state. Failure events can often be preempted with the use of data. But if a failure does occur, human reaction time can be much faster because of the real-time data. Production can be stopped more quickly, resulting in less wasted product.

4) Modular Automation

The biotech and pharma markets are experiencing increasing demand for short product development times and customized products. Flexible manufacturing systems can be achieved by dividing a complete plant into functional units — a concept called modularization. Production modules can be combined to produce specific process plants which can then be extended by adding modules. This concept enables immediate adaptation to changing market and production requirements.