CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTIES OF A PYRAZINAMIDE-SELECTIVE BIOSENSOR USING CHEMORECEPTOR STRUCTURES FROM CRAYFISH

Receptor-based biosensors using structures from fresh-water species (crayfish) are shown to give selective analytical responses to the antitubercular drug pyrazinamide. The construction of such biosensors, in general, is greatly facilitated through the use of a video imaging inverted biological microscope during the manipulation and assembly of the delicate structures involved and points the way toward microscale receptors with enhanced analytical properties in the future. Characterization of the sensor in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, response time, dose-response relationship and lifetime is reported. Advantages of using fresh-water species in constructing neuronal biosensors, e.g., extended lifetime and fewer interferences, are also discussed.