Application of Biosensors Based on Lipid Membranes for the Rapid Detection of Toxins
Georgia-Paraskevi Nikoleli,
Dimitrios P. Nikolelis,
Christina G. Siontorou,
Stephanos Karapetis,
Marianna-Thalia Nikolelis
Affiliations
Georgia-Paraskevi Nikoleli
Laboratory of Inorganic & Analytical Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, Department 1, Chemical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., 15780 Athens, Greece
Dimitrios P. Nikolelis
Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Kouponia, 15771 Athens, Greece
Christina G. Siontorou
Laboratory of Simulation of Industrial Processes, Department of Industrial Management and Technology, School of Maritime and Industry, University of Piraeus, 18534 Pireus, Greece
Stephanos Karapetis
Laboratory of Inorganic & Analytical Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, Department 1, Chemical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., 15780 Athens, Greece
Marianna-Thalia Nikolelis
Laboratory of Simulation of Industrial Processes, Department of Industrial Management and Technology, School of Maritime and Industry, University of Piraeus, 18534 Pireus, Greece
Lipid assemblies in the form of two dimensional films have been used extensively as biosensing platforms. These films exhibit certain similarities with cell membranes, thus providing a suitable means for the immobilization of proteinaceous moieties and, further, a number of intrinsic signal amplification mechanisms. Their implementation in the detection of toxins yielded reliable and fast detectors for in field analyses of environmental and clinical samples. Some examples are presented herein, including aflatoxin and cholera toxin detection. The conditions and parameters that determine the analytical specifications of the lipid membrane sensors are discussed, advantages and technology bottlenecks are reviewed, and possible further developments are highlighted.
