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Microbial Biosensors

Microbial Biosensors

Microbial biosensors are analytical devices that utilize living microbes to detect specific substances through measurable signals. These devices consist of two main components: biosensing organisms and signal-transducing elements. Biosensing organisms, such as Escherichia coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are typically housed in multiwell plates connected to transducers, enabling rapid, real-time detection of target analytes.Signal Generation MechanismWhen a target analyte—such as...

Methods to Assess Microbial Populations

Methods to Assess Microbial Populations

Assessing microbial populations is crucial for understanding microbial roles in health, ecology, and industry. Various complementary techniques—both culture-based and molecular—enable detailed analysis of microbial abundance, diversity, and function.Viable Plate CountThe viable plate count is a traditional culture-based method used to estimate the number of living microbes in a sample. After serial dilution, the sample is spread onto nutrient agar plates. Each viable cell forms a visible...

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Automated diagnostic analyzers have transformed clinical microbiology by providing rapid and reliable methods for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among these systems, the Vitek 2 is widely used because it automates the traditionally labor-intensive processes of microbial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), delivering standardized and timely results that are essential for effective patient care.Microbial Identification with ID CardsThe...

Microbial Growth Measurement: Indirect Methods

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Preparation of Multifunctional Silk-Based Microcapsules Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches

Preparation of Multifunctional Silk-Based Microcapsules Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches

Published on: October 8, 2021

Applications of microbial cell sensors.

Mifumi Shimomura-Shimizu¹, Isao Karube

¹School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology, Hachioji, Tokyo 1920982, Japan.

Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology

|January 21, 2010

Summary

Microbial cell sensors use microbes as sensing elements, offering advantages like durability and cost-effectiveness. This review summarizes their diverse applications in analytical chemistry.

Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Biosensors
Analytical Chemistry

Background:

Microbial cell sensors, first studied in 1977, have evolved as analytical tools.
They utilize microbes as both the sensing element and transducer.
Unlike highly specific enzyme or immunosensors, their specificity can be enhanced via genetic modification.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and summarize the various applications of microbial cell sensors.
To highlight the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of these biosensors.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on microbial cell sensor development and applications.
Analysis of sensor characteristics including specificity, tolerance, lifetime, cost, and response time.

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Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level

Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level

Published on: June 23, 2022

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Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Preparation of Multifunctional Silk-Based Microcapsules Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches

Preparation of Multifunctional Silk-Based Microcapsules Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches

Published on: October 8, 2021

Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level

Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level

Published on: June 23, 2022

Main Results:

Microbial cell sensors offer advantages such as tolerance to diverse measuring conditions, extended operational lifetime, and cost-effectiveness.
A key disadvantage is their relatively long response time.
Genetic modification has improved the specificity of microbial cell sensors.

Conclusions:

Microbial cell sensors are versatile analytical tools with a range of applications.
Their unique characteristics make them suitable for specific analytical challenges despite limitations like response time.