Impedance-Spectroscopy-Based Biosensors

A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensor and Bioelectronic Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 12293

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Guest Editor
Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
Interests: electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; microfluidics; biosensors
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid development of biotechnology in recent years, biomolecule detection and cell analysis have been widely applied in food, the environment, medicine, biotechnology, drug screening, medical technology, and other fields. User-friendly devices with point-of-use capabilities offer perspectives for future applications.

The main topic of this Special Issue is biosensors based on electrochemical as well as on electrical impedance spectroscopy. The Special Issue is dedicated to collecting research articles on the development of new platforms for on-site electrochemical biosensing transduction, within the integration of new bioreceptors, nanomaterials, and innovative bioassay formats. Furthermore, the Special Issue aims to gather original articles on miniaturized electrical impedance devices for the characterization for single cells, cell layers, and tissues. Micro- and nanoelectrodes as well as field-effect electrodes and 2D materials as transducers are in focus. In addition, reviews reflecting current hotspots, new challenges, and future perspectives of impedance-based biosensor applications and technologies are highly welcome.

Prof. Dr. Uwe Schnakenberg
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • electrical impedance spectroscopy
  • electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
  • lab-on-a-chip
  • micro electrodes
  • nano electrodes
  • field-effect electrodes
  • biosensor
  • 2D materials
  • microfluidics
  • bioMEMS

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 2345 KiB  
Article
Impedimetric Detection of Cancer Markers Based on Nanofiber Copolymers
by Noha Elnagar, Nada Elgiddawy, Waleed M. A. El Rouby, Ahmed A. Farghali and Hafsa Korri-Youssoufi
Biosensors 2024, 14(2), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14020077 - 31 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2001
Abstract
The sensitive determination of folate receptors (FRs) in the early stages of cancer is of great significance for controlling the progression of cancerous cells. Many folic acid (FA)-based electrochemical biosensors have been utilized to detect FRs with promising performances, but most were complicated, [...] Read more.
The sensitive determination of folate receptors (FRs) in the early stages of cancer is of great significance for controlling the progression of cancerous cells. Many folic acid (FA)-based electrochemical biosensors have been utilized to detect FRs with promising performances, but most were complicated, non-reproducible, non-biocompatible, and time and cost consuming. Here, we developed an environmentally friendly and sensitive biosensor for FR detection. We proposed an electrochemical impedimetric biosensor formed by nanofibers (NFs) of bio-copolymers prepared by electrospinning. The biosensor combines the advantages of bio-friendly polymers, such as sodium alginate (SA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) as an antifouling polymer, with FA as a biorecognition element. The NF nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques, including SEM, FTIR, zeta potential (ZP), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). We evaluated the performance of the NF biosensor using EIS and demonstrated FR detection in plasma with a limit of detection of 3 pM. Furthermore, the biosensor showed high selectivity, reliability, and good stability when stored for two months. This biosensor was constructed from ‘green credentials’ holding polymers that are highly needed in the new paradigm shift in the medical industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impedance-Spectroscopy-Based Biosensors)
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11 pages, 1475 KiB  
Article
Viscoelastic Properties of Zona Pellucida of Oocytes Characterized by Transient Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy
by Danyil Azarkh, Yuan Cao, Julia Floehr and Uwe Schnakenberg
Biosensors 2023, 13(4), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13040442 - 30 Mar 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2466
Abstract
The success rate in vitro fertilization is significantly linked to the quality of the oocytes. The oocyte’s membrane is encapsulated by a shell of gelatinous extracellular matrix, called zona pellucida, which undergoes dynamic changes throughout the reproduction cycle. During the window of highest [...] Read more.
The success rate in vitro fertilization is significantly linked to the quality of the oocytes. The oocyte’s membrane is encapsulated by a shell of gelatinous extracellular matrix, called zona pellucida, which undergoes dynamic changes throughout the reproduction cycle. During the window of highest fertility, the zona pellucida exhibits a softening phase, while it remains rigid during oocyte maturation and again after fertilization. These variations in mechanical properties facilitate or inhibit sperm penetration. Since successful fertilization considerably depends on the state of the zona pellucida, monitoring of the hardening process of the zona pellucida is vital. In this study, we scrutinized two distinct genetic mouse models, namely, fetuin-B wild-type and fetuin-B/ovastacin double deficient with normal and super-soft zona pellucida, respectively. We evaluated the hardening with the help of a microfluidic aspiration-assisted electrical impedance spectroscopy system. An oocyte was trapped by a microhole connected to a microfluidic channel by applying suction pressure. Transient electrical impedance spectra were taken by microelectrodes surrounding the microhole. The time-depending recovery of zona pellucida deflections to equilibrium was used to calculate the Young’s modulus and, for the first time, absolute viscosity values. The values were obtained by fitting the curves with an equivalent mechanical circuit consisting of a network of dashpots and springs. The observer-independent electrical readout in combination with a fitting algorithm for the calculation of the viscoelastic properties demonstrates a step toward a more user-friendly and easy-to-use tool for the characterizing and better understanding of the rheological properties of oocytes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impedance-Spectroscopy-Based Biosensors)
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11 pages, 4986 KiB  
Communication
Low-Cost Impedance Camera for Cell Distribution Monitoring
by Bo Tang, Mengxi Liu and Andreas Dietzel
Biosensors 2023, 13(2), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13020281 - 16 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2567
Abstract
Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is widely recognized as a powerful tool in biomedical research. For example, it allows detection and monitoring of diseases, measuring of cell density in bioreactors, and characterizing the permeability of tight junctions in barrier-forming tissue models. However, with single-channel [...] Read more.
Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is widely recognized as a powerful tool in biomedical research. For example, it allows detection and monitoring of diseases, measuring of cell density in bioreactors, and characterizing the permeability of tight junctions in barrier-forming tissue models. However, with single-channel measurement systems, only integral information is obtained without spatial resolution. Here we present a low-cost multichannel impedance measurement set-up capable of mapping cell distributions in a fluidic environment by using a microelectrode array (MEA) realized in 4-level printed circuit board (PCB) technology including layers for shielding, interconnections, and microelectrodes. The array of 8 × 8 gold microelectrode pairs was connected to home-built electric circuitry consisting of commercial components such as programmable multiplexers and an analog front-end module which allows the acquisition and processing of electrical impedances. For a proof-of-concept, the MEA was wetted in a 3D printed reservoir into which yeast cells were locally injected. Impedance maps were recorded at 200 kHz which correlate well with the optical images showing the yeast cell distribution in the reservoir. Blurring from parasitic currents slightly disturbing the impedance maps could be eliminated by deconvolution using an experimentally determined point spread function. The MEA of the impedance camera can in future be further miniaturized and integrated into cell cultivation and perfusion systems such as organ on chip devices to augment or even replace light microscopic monitoring of cell monolayer confluence and integrity during the cultivation in incubation chambers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impedance-Spectroscopy-Based Biosensors)
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17 pages, 4152 KiB  
Article
Gold Nanoparticles-MWCNT Based Aptasensor for Early Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
by Aseel Alnaimi, Ammar Al-Hamry, Yahia Makableh, Anurag Adiraju and Olfa Kanoun
Biosensors 2022, 12(12), 1130; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12121130 - 6 Dec 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4559
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed male malignancies and can be detected by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as a biomarker. To detect PSA, several studies have proposed using antibodies, which are not economical and require a long reaction time. In this [...] Read more.
Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed male malignancies and can be detected by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as a biomarker. To detect PSA, several studies have proposed using antibodies, which are not economical and require a long reaction time. In this study, we propose to use self-assembled thiolated single-strand DNA on electrodes functionalized by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to realize a low-cost label-free electrochemical biosensor. In this regard, the PSA aptamer was immobilized via electrostatic adsorption on the surface of a screen-printed MWCNT/AuNPs electrode. The immobilization process was enhanced due to the presence of Au nanoparticles on the surface of the electrode. Surface characterization of the electrode at different stages of modification was performed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and contact angle for surface tension properties. The results showed an increase in surface roughness due to the absorbance of the aptamer on the electrode surfaces. The developed sensor has an extended linear range of 1–100 ng/mL, and a very low limit of detection down to 1 pg/mL. In addition, the reaction has a binding time of only five minutes on the developed electrodes. Investigations of the biosensor selectivity against several substances revealed an efficient selectivity for PSA detection. With this approach, low-cost biosensors with high sensitivity can be realized which have a wide linearity range and a low limit of detection, which are necessary for the early detection of prostate cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impedance-Spectroscopy-Based Biosensors)
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