Biosensors and Biomimetic Sensors for the Detection of Drugs, Toxins and Biological Agents

Abstract

Over the past decade, increasing attention has been paid to the development of biosensors to enhance testing for safety and security and a growing market potential has been identified. In biodefense, attention has focussed on technologies for the rapid identification of biological threat agents in the environment and in the human population, while forensic science has been revolutionised by DNA technology. The UK’s Royal Society (Making the UK Safer, April 2004) stated that “The most urgent need is for mobile or hand-held instruments for point detection at the scene of an incident for use by responders.” Biosensors are well suited to delivering on-site detection, identification and monitoring in a variety of security and defence situations.