Electrochemical microbiosensors using living cells

This article describes recent progress of cell-based electrochemical biosensors, especially focusing on the incorporation of micro-fabrication technology and gene-modified engineering. Modern electroanalytical techniques offer extremely low detection limits that are achievable using small sample volumes. Bio-MEMS (bio-micro-electromechanical system) technology allows on-line monitoring of cellular functions in which various analytical operations with microfluidics. Reporter gene systems are frequently used in gene-expression studies and applied to environmental monitoring and food safety analyses. These research trends have clearly demonstrated that electrochemical whole-cell devices will have strong impacts on modern biotechnology and become an indispensable tool to ensure the safety of our society.