Electrochemical immunosensors for environmental monitoring

The time involved in field sampling and laboratory analysis of environmental samples has stimulated the development of alternative rapid and cost-effective field screening and monitoring methods for a wide range of toxic chemicals. Current research in our laboratories is directed toward developing portable, continuous and in-situ electrochemical immunosensors for detection of compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals and pesticides. Previous work has shown that the use of these sensors possesses significant advantages over conventional methods in the detection and quantitation of a range of analytes. The advantages of conducting electroactive polymers (CEPs) in combining the function of an antibody-entrapment matrix and the transducer required for the measurement of immunological reactions translate into substantial equipment miniaturization as well as reduction in response time. This promises to open up new horizons in environmental monitoring, medical and clinical applications. This paper will discuss the detection and quantitation of environmental samples using CEP-based sensors. Recent advances in biosensing technologies using electrochemical immunoassays will also be discussed. CEP-based immunosensing systems will be compared with conventional environmental immunoassay procedures. The advantages of utilizing these types of sensors in providing rapid, sensitive and cost-effective options for environmental analysis of pesticides and other potential contaminants willmore » be analyzed and discussed.« less