Bioelectric recognition assay (BERA)

• Published in: Biosensors & bioelectronics Vol. 16; no. 4; pp. 325 - 336
• Main Authors: Kintzios, S, Pistola, E, Panagiotopoulos, P, Bomsel, M, Alexandropoulos, N, Bem, F, Ekonomou, G, Biselis, J, Levin, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01-06-2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Animals; Bioelectric recognition assay; Biological and medical sciences; Biosensing Techniques - methods; Biosensor; Biosensors; Biotechnology; Cell immobilization; Cell Survival; Cells, Immobilized; Electrophysiological response; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hepatitis C virus; Herbicide; Humans; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Various methods and equipments; Viruses; Viruses; Electrophysiological response; Biosensor; Cell immobilization; Herbicide; Virus; Plant pathogen; Pesticides; Electrophysiology; Immobilized cell; Flaviviridae; Detection; Hepatitis C virus; Hepacivirus
• ISSN: 0956-5663; 1873-4235
• DOI: 10.1016/S0956-5663(01)00127-0

A novel biosensory method has been developed for the determination of various chemical and biological molecules by assessing their electrophysiological interactions with a group of cells and cell components immobilized in a gel matrix that preserves their ‘physiological’ functions. The method was applied for the detection of: (i) hepatitis C virus in human blood samples; (ii) plant viruses; and (iii) a herbicide (glyphosate) in aqueous solutions. It was able to rapidly (assay time 3–5 min) and specifically detect the molecules in question at a concentration lower than 100 pg/ml, among other compounds f similar structure. The potential use of BERA biosensors for a rapid and cost-efficient molecule determination without prior knowledge of a specific receptor-molecule interaction is discussed.