Biosensors and Diagnostics

Module overview

A biosensor is a device that translates a biomolecular binding event into an electrical or optical signal that can be quantified and recorded. Biosensors come in many different formats, from complicated nanofabricated mechanical transducers to simple but effective paper diagnostics. This module introduces the core principles of biosensor design, including biomolecule immobilisation, transduction mechanisms, and the quantitative approaches used to select biomarkers and optimise sensor performance. You will also learn how quantitative and computational methods are used to design biosensor systems (for example bioinformatics for identifying protein biomarkers) and to measure diagnostic performance and support clinical decision-making. Through lectures, weekly tutorials, and a laboratory practical, you will connect theoretical concepts to real-world bio-sensing applications.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Explain the working mechanisms of the most common types of biosensors.
Appreciate the advantages and limitations of specific diagnostic systems.
Critically evaluate biosensor data from the scientific literature.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Biosensor design, biofunctionalisation of surfaces, biosensor transducer technologies.
The principle of operation of a wide variety of diagnostic devices paper based on microfluidics, nanopore DNA sequencing, droplet microfluidics for genetic analysis and single cell analytics, and DNA microarray technology.
The role of biomarker selection and quantitative data in biosensor performance.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered via a mixture of lectures, seminars and lab exercises that contribute towards a coursework output and a final exam.

Study time
Type	Hours
Tutorial	12
Completion of assessment task	12
Specialist Laboratory	3
Revision	25
Lecture	24
Preparation for scheduled sessions	30
Wider reading or practice	44
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Gorton L (2005). Biosensors and Modern Biospecific Analytical Techniques, Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry series. Elsevier.

Cooper MA (2009). Label-Free Biosensors: Techniques and Applications. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Kumar S (2007). Nanomaterials for Biosensors, Nanotechnologies for the Life Sciences series. Wiley.

Zourob M (Ed.), (2010). Recognition Receptors in Biosensors. Springer.

Gizeli E and Lowe CR (2002). Biomolecular Sensors. CRC Press.

Pethig RR and Smith S. Introductory Bioelectronics: for Engineers and Physical Scientists.

Eggins BR (2002). Chemical Sensors and Biosensors. Wiley.

Banica FG (2012). Chemical Sensors and Biosensors: Fundamentals and Applications. Wiley.

Khanna VK (2012). Nanosensors: Physical, Chemical and Biological, Series in Sensors. Taylor and Francis.

Hames D and Hooper NM (2005). Biochemistry, 3rd Ed, BIOS Instant Notes series. Taylor and Francis.

Ferrier DR (2014). Biochemistry, 6th Ed, Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews. Wolters Kluwer.

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Specialist Laboratory	10%
Coursework	10%
Examination	80%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External