The lion's share of biosensor research is conducted by universities, most often with government support, which has risen since 9/11. Private companies, another important aspect of the biosensor alliance, commercialize and market these devices that measure biological phenomena.

Because biosensors are costly devices, many companies, universities, and their researchers are seeking ways to make them more economical. Molecular imprinted polymers may soon be used as the recognition element within biosensors. These polymers provide the high physical and chemical stability needed to work with immobilized biomaterials such as enzymes and antibodies in a biosensing role. Further, when the target molecule has no biomaterial available as the recognition component, the imprinted polymer provides an excellent, and often, the only solution.

Other biosensor developers are borrowing from Mother Nature by using a biomimic technique to fashion design polymers This involves using modular polymer scaffolds that are programmed to attract building block molecules. Chemical interactions cause these components to self-assemble into the desired complex structure, much like the self-assembly of amino acids and nucleotides that build life. Scientists are equipping a biosensor with an on-board biofuel cell to replace wiring. This self-powered biosensor would be suitable for subcutaneous implantation, as well as remote environmental monitoring.

Customized biosensors open markets for themselves in high value-added markets. For example, biosensors' ability to measure the presence, absence, or concentration of analytes accurately and rapidly, continuously in real time at the point of need, spurred research into a handheld alcohol sensor for wine makers. With illicit drug abuse spreading throughout the world with terrible consequences, a biosensor that can identify which of a cocktail of drugs has been taken by an addict can save lives otherwise lost or damaged by overdosing.

Technical Insights report separates the good news from the mundane by providing the following:

• A detailed overview of technological advances in development laboratories
• Identification of key companies and developers and estimates of timelines for commercializing technology
• Definitions of key markets and applications
• Reporting on technology drivers as well as obstacles in the way of commercial success

1. Executive Summary

• A. Report Synopsis
  • 1. Biosensors after 9/11
• B. Scope and Methodology
  • 1. Highlights of the Report
  • 2. Methodology

2. Military and Commercial Competition

• A. Protecting Soldiers
  • 1. Personal Black Box
  • 2. Nanologistics
• B. The Asian Challenge
  • 1. Building New Labs
  • 2. Carbon Nanotube Innovations
  • 3. Boosting Fullerene Production
  • 4. Taiwan's Nanotech Future
  • 5. The American Response

3. Using Technology To Expand Markets

• A. When Technologies Converge
  • 1. Improving Human Performance
  • 2. Extending Moore's Law
  • 3. New Fields of Knowledge
  • 4. Honing the Competitive Edge
• B. Biochips: A Maturing Technology
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Miniaturization + Integration = Biochips
  • 3. A Discriminating Biochip
  • 4. Canada Gets Serious about Biochips
  • 5. Spotting Gene Expression
  • 6. New Diagnostics Open with DNA Biosensor-on-a-Chip
  • 7. Build Biochips a Molecule at a Time
  • 8. Gene Chip Technology Advance
  • 9. Protein Biochips Draw a Step Closer
  • 10. Protein Makes Biochip Specific
  • 11. Handheld Device Extends Reach of LOC
  • 12. Some Important Developments To Watch
  • 13. UPENN To Study Microfluidic Systems for DARPA
• C. Enhanced Microfluidics Promises Better LOC
  • 1. Enhanced Microfluidics Promises Better LOC
  • 2. Glue Microparts to Medical Devices
  • 3. Microfluidics Flows On
• D. Market Forecasts
  • 1. Analytical LOCs
  • 2. Biochips

4. Technology Developments from Companies

• A. Electronic Nose for Trouble
  • 1. Sniffing Out Explosives; Drugs; and Microbes
  • 2. The Higher the Vibration; the Richer the Target
• B. Seeing DNA on Silicon
  • 1. Rendering the Invisible Visible
  • 2. Amplifying Molecular Interactions
  • 3. Instrument-Free Target Detection
• C. Biosensor Canaries Reduce Bioremediation Costs
  • 1. Cleaning Up after Paint Making
  • 2. Mapping Toxins
• D. Analyzing Waste Down Under
  • 1. Government; Business; and Academic Alliance
  • 2. Luciferase Shines Light on Wastes
  • 3. Overcoming Aldehyde's Limitations
  • 4. Taking Aim at E. Coli
• E. Portable Food and Water Sensors
  • 1. Bacteria Magnets
  • 2. Breaking the Meat Matrix
  • 3. Beach Detectives
  • 4. Making Clinical Diagnosis

5. Technology Developments from National Laboratories and Universities

• A. Proving Nanoparticles Can Form a Gradient
  • 1. Molecular Hooks To Catch Gold Nanoparticles
  • 2. Atomic Needle and Intense X-Rays Unlock Surface Gradients
  • 3. Single-Cluster Tests Save Time
• B. Nanowires
  • 1. Nanowires Conduct 3000 Times Faster
  • 2. A Future in Biosensors
• C. Getting a Jump on Cancer
  • 1. Simpler Adduct Detection
  • 2. Adding Glycerol Aids Fluorescence
  • 3. Clarity with Glass Substrates
• D. Dual Diabetic Sensors Monitor Glucose/Insulin
  • 1. Linking Divergent Sensors
  • 2. Refinements for Implantation
  • 3. Isolating Circuits
• E. Biosensing the Big Molecules
  • 1. Binding to the Big Bad Boys
  • 2. Borrowing from Position Sensing
• F. Detecting Drug Types During Overdose
  • 1. Speeding Analysis To Save Victims
  • 2. Adding Membranes To Filter Contaminants
• G. Building Real Neural Networks
  • 1. Strengthening the Interface of Nerves and Electrons
  • 2. Growing Nerve Cells To Order
  • 3. Serendipity Lends a Hand
  • 4. Fellow Explorers on the Nerve-Cell Frontier
• H. Get Living Cells To Talk to Microelectronics
  • 1. Transmitting Electrical 'Speech'
  • 2. Improving Signal-to-Noise Ratio Ten Times
• I. Imprinting Thin Film Biosensors
  • 1. Molecular Recognition
  • 2. Sol-Gel's Superiority
  • 3. Replacing Antibodies
• J. Modular Parts Assemble into Designer Polymers
  • 1. Taking a Leaf from Mother Nature
  • 2. Erecting Polymer Scaffolds
  • 3. End Run Past Chemical Interference
• K. Carbon Nanotubes Fluoresce
  • 1. Taking Aim at Tumor Cells
  • 2. Breaking Free from the Pack
  • 3. Tiny but Tough
• L. Developments To Watch
  • 1. Enzymatic Engine
  • 2. Polymer-Based Biosensors
  • 3. Putting SAMs To Work as Selective Filters
  • 4. Improving the Microprinting of Proteins on Mixed SAMs
  • 5. Analyzing Wine and Patients
  • 6. A Novel Biosensor
  • 7. Shedding Light on Food- and Water-Contamination
  • 8. Sensitive Biosensors Detects Low-Level Platinum
  • 9. Biosensor Hinges on the Protein
  • 10. Faster; Cheaper Resequencing
  • 11. Proteome Chip Licensed for Rapid Bio Studies
  • 12. Tune the Swelling of Hydrogel Nanoparticles
  • 13. Make Genetic Diagnosis without Labels
  • 14. Self-Assembling DNA Wire

6. Technical Insights' 2002 Science and Technology Awards

• A. Biosensors Awards
  • 1. Technology Innovation
  • 2. Technology Leadership

7. Information Resources

• A. Patents; Research Sources; Select Companies
  • 1. Recent US Patents
  • 2. Research Sources
  • 3. Selected Companies Involved in the Biochip Sector