Journal of Analytical & Bioanalytical Techniques
Open Access

Abstract

Recently nanobiotechnology has advanced and revolutionized the field of biosensor with the application of quantum dots (QDs), gold, silver and carbon nanoparticles. These particles have characteristic size, high photo-stability and size tunable emission properties which make them highly attractive materials in the field of biological analysis with high sensitivity and rapid analysis for many bioassays. Nanoparticles can be used as suitable fluorescent labels/probes for their application in dipstick and immunoassays for the detection of small biomolecules (biomarkers of pesticide exposure) in place of conventional dyes. The spectral properties of nanoparticles allow the multi-analyte detection of the targets. Therefore, the bioconjugation of these nanoparticles for biological fluorescent labeling may be of interest as compared to organic fluorescent dyes. There is urgent need to develop rapid, sensitive and specific detection techniques to monitor food toxicants and environmental samples. Studies on the immobilization of antibodies with nanoparticles to detect pesticides, toxins and pathogens have recently been reported by our research group. The presentation will focus on the application of bio-conjugated nanoparticles for the detection of food contaminants such as pesticides, pathogenic bacterial toxins and for the development of oligonucleotide-based microarrays. Furthermore, the utilization of significant changes in the spectral behavior of QDs and nanoparticles due to resonance energy transfer/ Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and localized surface plasmon resonance with bio-conjugation has potentials in future nanobiosensor development which will also be emphasized during presentation.

Biography

M.S. Thakur has made significant contribution in biotechnology especially in biosensor research in India since past 30 years. He has published more than 100 outstanding research papers along with 15 patents. He has transferred his biosensor technologies to industries. As an expert in biosensor and biotechnology he has delivered many invited ( more than 100) lectures and keynote addresses in national and international symposia. Dr. M. S. Thakur has made fundamental discoveries in bio-inspired biomolecular electronics and biophotonics, interfacing the biochemical events with opto-electronic systems making bioassay simple, specific, rapid and ultrasensitive which is very unique contribution. He has made appreciable contribution in understanding the opto-physical properties of nanoparticles and biomolecules using Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer and Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET/FRET) phenomenon. He has solved the intricate problems associated with ultrasensitive detection of toxins, pesticides and vitamins using biophotonics and nanoparticles.