Biosensors with Nuclear Tracks and Embedded Membranes

Abstract

One of the strategies for enhancing the detection sensitivity of etched nuclear track-based biosensors uses the cladding of track walls with enzymes and the subsequent enrichment of charged enzymatic reaction products in the confined volume of the narrow tracks. For sensing two different bio-molecule types simultaneously, the tracks can be separated into two adjacent compartments by inserting a membrane in between them. The recipe for membrane formation is outlined. If the same enzyme is inserted into both compartments, the sensing accuracy can greatly be enhanced, as compared to etched tracks without membranes, due to a different underlying sensing mechanism. Such sensors act as frequency filters, which is useful for sensors operating in electrosmog-rich ambient.