Nanomedicine 1 – bioanalysis UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
What is the general principle of an affinity protein sensor? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
general principle of an affinity protein sensor involves the use of a specific protein or peptide
that can recognize and bind to a target protein of interest. This binding interaction between the
affinity protein and the target protein leads to a measurable signal that can be used to detect and
quantify the presence of the target protein. The affinity protein acts as a recognition element in
the sensor, allowing for selective detection and analysis of the target protein in complex
biological samples. In the case of affinity (non-catalytic) biosensor, the analyte is bound to the
receptor irreversibly, and during the interaction no new biochemical reaction product is formed.
This type of sensor comprises antibodies, cell receptors, and nucleic acids as the target for
detection.
Briefly mention possible transduction methods for protein biosensors. - CORRECT
ANSWER - There are several possible transduction methods for protein biosensors. Some
of the commonly used methods include:
Optical methods: These involve the use of optical signals such as fluorescence, absorbance, or
surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to detect and quantify the binding events between the affinity
protein and the target protein.
Electrochemical methods: These methods rely on the measurement of changes in electrical
properties, such as current or potential, resulting from the binding interaction between the
affinity protein and the target protein.
Mechanical (Mass-based methods): These methods utilize the change in mass or resonance
frequency caused by the binding event, which can be detected using techniques such as quartz
crystal microbalance (QCM) or surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors.
What are the major difficulties in protein biosensor technology? - CORRECT ANSWER -
1. Selectivity and specificity
2. Stability and reproducibility
3. Sensitivity
4. Regeneration and reusability
5. Sample matrix interference
, 6. Integration and miniaturization
7. Validation and standardization
What are the basic/general elements (or components) of all point-of-care/Lab-on-a-chip
biosensors? Include a list of five sensing principles. - CORRECT ANSWER - an analyte,
bioreceptor, transducer, electronics, and display.
1. Analyte: A substance of interest whose constituents are being identified or detected (e.g.,
glucose, ammonia, alcohol, and lactose).
2. Bioreceptor: A biomolecule (molecule) or a biological element that can recognize the target
substrate (i.e., an analyte) is known as bioreceptor (e.g., enzymes, cells, aptamers,
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA or RNA), and antibodies). The process of signal production (in the
form of light, heat, pH, charge or mass change, plant or animal tissue, and microbial products)
during the interaction between bioreceptor and analyte is called biorecognition.
3. Transducer: A device that transforms energy from one form to another. The transducer is a key
element in a biosensor. It converts the biorecognition event into a measurable signal (electrical)
that connects with the quantity or in the presence of a chemical or biological target. This process
of energy conversion is known as signalization. Transducers generate either optical or electrical
signals proportional to the number of analyte-bioreceptor interactions. According to the operating
principle, transducers are broadly categorized as electrochemical, optical, thermal, electronic,
and gravimetric transducers
4. Electronics: The transduced signal is processed and prepared for the display. The electrical
signals obtained from the transducer are amplified and converted into digital form. The
processed signals are quantified by the display unit.
5. Display: The display unit is composed of a user interpretation system, such as a computer or a
printer that generates the output so that the corresponding response can be readable and
understandable by the user. Depending on the end-user prerequisite, the output can be in the form
of a numerical, graphical, or tabular value, or a figure.
Describe a method for conjugating a protein onto a surface through silanization. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Silanization = commonly used method for conjugating proteins onto surfaces
in protein biosensor technology.
- -> involves the use of organosilanes to create a stable and covalent attachment of proteins onto
a surface.
- -> Provides a stable and covalent attachment of proteins onto surfaces, allowing for enhanced
sensitivity and specificity in protein biosensor applications. It offers versatility in terms of
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
What is the general principle of an affinity protein sensor? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
general principle of an affinity protein sensor involves the use of a specific protein or peptide
that can recognize and bind to a target protein of interest. This binding interaction between the
affinity protein and the target protein leads to a measurable signal that can be used to detect and
quantify the presence of the target protein. The affinity protein acts as a recognition element in
the sensor, allowing for selective detection and analysis of the target protein in complex
biological samples. In the case of affinity (non-catalytic) biosensor, the analyte is bound to the
receptor irreversibly, and during the interaction no new biochemical reaction product is formed.
This type of sensor comprises antibodies, cell receptors, and nucleic acids as the target for
detection.
Briefly mention possible transduction methods for protein biosensors. - CORRECT
ANSWER - There are several possible transduction methods for protein biosensors. Some
of the commonly used methods include:
Optical methods: These involve the use of optical signals such as fluorescence, absorbance, or
surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to detect and quantify the binding events between the affinity
protein and the target protein.
Electrochemical methods: These methods rely on the measurement of changes in electrical
properties, such as current or potential, resulting from the binding interaction between the
affinity protein and the target protein.
Mechanical (Mass-based methods): These methods utilize the change in mass or resonance
frequency caused by the binding event, which can be detected using techniques such as quartz
crystal microbalance (QCM) or surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors.
What are the major difficulties in protein biosensor technology? - CORRECT ANSWER -
1. Selectivity and specificity
2. Stability and reproducibility
3. Sensitivity
4. Regeneration and reusability
5. Sample matrix interference
, 6. Integration and miniaturization
7. Validation and standardization
What are the basic/general elements (or components) of all point-of-care/Lab-on-a-chip
biosensors? Include a list of five sensing principles. - CORRECT ANSWER - an analyte,
bioreceptor, transducer, electronics, and display.
1. Analyte: A substance of interest whose constituents are being identified or detected (e.g.,
glucose, ammonia, alcohol, and lactose).
2. Bioreceptor: A biomolecule (molecule) or a biological element that can recognize the target
substrate (i.e., an analyte) is known as bioreceptor (e.g., enzymes, cells, aptamers,
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA or RNA), and antibodies). The process of signal production (in the
form of light, heat, pH, charge or mass change, plant or animal tissue, and microbial products)
during the interaction between bioreceptor and analyte is called biorecognition.
3. Transducer: A device that transforms energy from one form to another. The transducer is a key
element in a biosensor. It converts the biorecognition event into a measurable signal (electrical)
that connects with the quantity or in the presence of a chemical or biological target. This process
of energy conversion is known as signalization. Transducers generate either optical or electrical
signals proportional to the number of analyte-bioreceptor interactions. According to the operating
principle, transducers are broadly categorized as electrochemical, optical, thermal, electronic,
and gravimetric transducers
4. Electronics: The transduced signal is processed and prepared for the display. The electrical
signals obtained from the transducer are amplified and converted into digital form. The
processed signals are quantified by the display unit.
5. Display: The display unit is composed of a user interpretation system, such as a computer or a
printer that generates the output so that the corresponding response can be readable and
understandable by the user. Depending on the end-user prerequisite, the output can be in the form
of a numerical, graphical, or tabular value, or a figure.
Describe a method for conjugating a protein onto a surface through silanization. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Silanization = commonly used method for conjugating proteins onto surfaces
in protein biosensor technology.
- -> involves the use of organosilanes to create a stable and covalent attachment of proteins onto
a surface.
- -> Provides a stable and covalent attachment of proteins onto surfaces, allowing for enhanced
sensitivity and specificity in protein biosensor applications. It offers versatility in terms of
