Immunosensor technology: Historical perspective and future outlook

Abstract

Immunosensors are part of the biosensor technology field, which is broad, diverse, and multidisciplinary in nature. Immunosensors are designed to detect the direct binding of an antibody to an analyte. The current approach uses indirect detection methods such as linking an enzyme to an antibody (ie, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) to signal the binding event. Direct detection yields a faster and more cost-effective test result than does indirect detection. Direct detection is made possible by a variety of transducers that generate electrochemical, optical, acoustical, or thermal signals that are proportional to analyte concentration. This article reviews tire technical status of immunosensors and addresses the limitations and future directions of immunosensor technology for the clinical laboratory and emerging point-of-care environment. This is the second article in a four- part continuing education update series on chemistry. Other articles focus on rapid immunoassays, general principles and basic types of immunoassays, and prostate-specific antigen.