FISH SCALES AS BIOSENSORS

It is demonstrated how certain fish scales (in our case from Cuckoo Wrasse, Labrus ossifagus) can be used for biosensing purposes. These scales contain cells with pigment granules which are either dispersed or aggregated. The pigments of an isolated fish scale are, e.g., aggregated by noradrenaline or other catecholamines. The aggregation can be measured by a simple photometer or by fibre optical probes. The sensitivity is very large. Nanomoles of noradrenaline can be easily measured. We discuss therefore the possibility of developing sensor probes for clinical use based on the fish scales. © 1990.