Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications

A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensor and Bioelectronic Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2025) | Viewed by 18892

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Liberal Arts, Tokyo University of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
Interests: microbial biosensor; biosensing; mediator; BOD; toxicity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The time has come for us human beings to recognize that we are no longer consumers of the Earth's ecosystem, but wasters. In order to live together with other living organisms on this planet, we need to change our lives. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were set and adopted as the “2030 Agenda” by the United Nations in 2015. Unfortunately, there are many difficulties in achieving that goal.

However, we must not give up on these goals; we must all do what we can, transcending national and regional boundaries. As Special Issue editors, although what we can do may be very small, we hope to go beyond barriers and contribute to the development of science and technology and the preservation of the global environment.

Microbial biosensors consisting of microbial cell(s) as an analyte sensor and a transducer as an electrical signal converter have been studied and developed for environmental, agricultural, food, and biomedical applications. These microbial biosensors have been supported by studying a variety of principles and device designs.

In the present Special Issue, we welcome submissions of research papers and critical reviews focusing on the following topics:

Design:

  • Novel designs of chip/cell/array for microbial biosensors;
  • Novel designs of self-powered device for microbial biosensors;
  • Novel designs of online, on-site, or remote monitoring; 
  • Novel designs for microbial immobilization;
  • Novel designs for single-microbial-cell biosensors.

Application:

  • Application to environmental water or wastewater monitoring; 
  • Application to estimate soil environment or bioremediation;
  • Application to agriculture, aquafarming, or aquaponics;
  • Micro/nanotechnology and novel materials applied to microbial biosensors;
  • Novel instrumentation systems for microbial biosensors.

Others:

  • New solutions applied in microbial biosensors;
  • Interdisciplinary study leading to microbial biosensor development.

Note: microbes generally refer to single-celled organisms, but in microbiology they also include viruses. In the present Special Issue, we are accepting a wide range of submissions regarding biosensors using these as sensing elements.

Dr. Hideaki Nakamura
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • microbial biosensor
  • whole-cell biosensor
  • cell-based biosensor
  • microbial fuel cell
  • BOD
  • toxicity
  • immobilization
  • mediator
  • electron transfer
  • monitoring

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 4174 KiB  
Article
Ultra-Sensitive Biosensors for Medical Applications Based on Nanomechanics: From Detection of Synthetic Biomolecules to Analysis of Sepsis in Pediatric Patients
by François Huber, Hans Peter Lang, Andrea Marten, Julia Anna Bielicki, Ernst Meyer and Christoph Gerber
Biosensors 2025, 15(4), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15040217 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 356
Abstract
Recent advancements in nanomechanical microcantilever biosensors open new possibilities for clinical applications, permitting precise analysis of molecular interactions. The technology enables tracking gene expression, molecular conformational changes, antibody binding and antibiotic resistance. In particular, hybridization of DNA or RNA extracted from biopsies and [...] Read more.
Recent advancements in nanomechanical microcantilever biosensors open new possibilities for clinical applications, permitting precise analysis of molecular interactions. The technology enables tracking gene expression, molecular conformational changes, antibody binding and antibiotic resistance. In particular, hybridization of DNA or RNA extracted from biopsies and whole blood from patients has led to significant advancements in diagnostics of critical medical conditions, e.g., cancer, bacteraemia and sepsis, utilizing rapid, sensitive, and label-free detection. Direct diagnosis from patient samples is a decisive advantage over competitive methods circumventing elaborate and time-consuming purification, amplification and cultivation procedures prior to analysis. Here, recent developments are presented from simple DNA hybridization of synthesized oligonucleotides to RNA material obtained from patients’ blood samples, highlighting technological advancements in diagnostic applications, such as detection of pathogens and disease biomarkers. We envisage our method to be a significant input to rapid, early and sensitive diagnosis directly from patients’ blood without requirements for amplification or cultivation. This would represent a paradigm shift in diagnostics, as no competing method currently exists. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications)
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13 pages, 1739 KiB  
Article
Regulatory Effects of RNA–Protein Interactions Revealed by Reporter Assays of Bacteria Grown on Solid Media
by Guillermo Pérez-Ropero, Roswitha Dolcemascolo, Anna Pérez-Ràfols, Karl Andersson, U. Helena Danielson, Guillermo Rodrigo and Jos Buijs
Biosensors 2025, 15(3), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15030175 - 8 Mar 2025
Viewed by 618
Abstract
Reporter systems are widely used to study biomolecular interactions and processes in vivo, representing one of the basic tools used to characterize synthetic regulatory circuits. Here, we developed a method that enables the monitoring of RNA–protein interactions through a reporter system in bacteria [...] Read more.
Reporter systems are widely used to study biomolecular interactions and processes in vivo, representing one of the basic tools used to characterize synthetic regulatory circuits. Here, we developed a method that enables the monitoring of RNA–protein interactions through a reporter system in bacteria with high temporal resolution. For this, we used a Real-Time Protein Expression Assay (RT-PEA) technology for real-time monitoring of a fluorescent reporter protein, while having bacteria growing on solid media. Experimental results were analyzed by fitting a three-variable Gompertz growth model. To validate the method, the interactions between a set of RNA sequences and the RNA-binding protein (RBP) Musashi-1 (MSI1) were evaluated, as well as the allosteric modulation of the interaction by a small molecule (oleic acid). This new approach proved to be suitable to quantitatively characterize RNA–RBP interactions, thereby expanding the toolbox to study molecular interactions in living bacteria, including allosteric modulation, with special relevance for systems that are not suitable to be studied in liquid media. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications)
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12 pages, 2019 KiB  
Article
Effect of Gold Nanoparticles in Microbial Fuel Cells Based on Polypyrrole-Modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae
by Kasparas Kižys, Domas Pirštelis and Inga Morkvėnaitė-Vilkončienė
Biosensors 2024, 14(12), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14120572 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1036
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a candidate for green energy sources due to microbes’ ability to generate charge in their metabolic processes. The main problem in MFCs is slow charge transfer between microorganisms and electrodes. Several methods to improve charge transfer have been [...] Read more.
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a candidate for green energy sources due to microbes’ ability to generate charge in their metabolic processes. The main problem in MFCs is slow charge transfer between microorganisms and electrodes. Several methods to improve charge transfer have been used until now: modification of microorganisms by conductive polymers, use of lipophilic mediators, and conductive nanomaterials. We created an MFC with a graphite anode, covering it with 9,10-phenatrenequinone and polypyrrole-modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae with and without 10 nm sphere gold nanoparticles. The MFC was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and power density measurements. The peak current from cyclic voltammetry measurements increased from 3.76 mA/cm2 to 5.01 mA/cm2 with bare and polypyrrole-modified yeast, respectively. The MFC with polypyrrole- and nanoparticle-modified yeast reached a maximum power density of 150 mW/m2 in PBS with 20 mM Fe(III) and 20 mM glucose, using a load of 10 kΩ. The same MFC with the same load in wastewater reached 179.2 mW/m2. These results suggest that this MFC configuration can be used to improve charge transfer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications)
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17 pages, 13470 KiB  
Article
Hydrocarbonoclastic Biofilm-Based Microbial Fuel Cells: Exploiting Biofilms at Water-Oil Interface for Renewable Energy and Wastewater Remediation
by Nicola Lovecchio, Roberto Giuseppetti, Lucia Bertuccini, Sandra Columba-Cabezas, Valentina Di Meo, Mario Figliomeni, Francesca Iosi, Giulia Petrucci, Michele Sonnessa, Fabio Magurano and Emilio D’Ugo
Biosensors 2024, 14(10), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14100484 - 8 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1706
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a promising technology for sustainable energy generation, which leverages the metabolic activities of microorganisms to convert organic substrates into electrical energy. In oil spill scenarios, hydrocarbonoclastic biofilms naturally form at the water–oil interface, creating a distinct environment for [...] Read more.
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a promising technology for sustainable energy generation, which leverages the metabolic activities of microorganisms to convert organic substrates into electrical energy. In oil spill scenarios, hydrocarbonoclastic biofilms naturally form at the water–oil interface, creating a distinct environment for microbial activity. In this work, we engineered a novel MFC that harnesses these biofilms by strategically positioning the positive electrode at this critical junction, integrating the biofilm’s natural properties into the MFC design. These biofilms, composed of specialized hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, are vital in supporting electron transfer, significantly enhancing the system’s power generation. Next-generation sequencing and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the microbial community, revealing a significant enrichment of hydrocarbonoclastic Gammaproteobacteria within the biofilm. Notably, key genera such as Paenalcaligenes, Providencia, and Pseudomonas were identified as dominant members, each contributing to the degradation of complex hydrocarbons and supporting the electrogenic activity of the MFCs. An electrochemical analysis demonstrated that the MFC achieved a stable power output of 51.5 μW under static conditions, with an internal resistance of about 1.05 kΩ. The system showed remarkable long-term stability, which maintained consistent performance over a 5-day testing period, with an average daily energy storage of approximately 216 mJ. Additionally, the MFC effectively recovered after deep discharge cycles, sustaining power output for up to 7.5 h before requiring a recovery period. Overall, the study indicates that MFCs based on hydrocarbonoclastic biofilms provide a dual-functionality system, combining renewable energy generation with environmental remediation, particularly in wastewater treatment. Despite lower power output compared to other hydrocarbon-degrading MFCs, the results highlight the potential of this technology for autonomous sensor networks and other low-power applications, which required sustainable energy sources. Moreover, the hydrocarbonoclastic biofilm-based MFC presented here offer significant potential as a biosensor for real-time monitoring of hydrocarbons and other contaminants in water. The biofilm’s electrogenic properties enable the detection of organic compound degradation, positioning this system as ideal for environmental biosensing applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications)
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14 pages, 2684 KiB  
Article
Advanced Imaging Methodology in Bacterial Biofilms with a Fluorescent Enzymatic Sensor for pepN Activity
by Javier Valverde-Pozo, Jose M. Paredes, María Eugenia García-Rubiño, María Dolores Girón, Rafael Salto, Jose M. Alvarez-Pez and Eva M. Talavera
Biosensors 2024, 14(9), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14090424 - 3 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1936
Abstract
This research explores the use of the pepN activity fluorescent sensor DCM-Ala in bacterial biofilms, emphasizing its significance due to the critical role of biofilms in various biological processes. Advanced imaging techniques were employed to visualize pepN activity, introducing a novel approach to [...] Read more.
This research explores the use of the pepN activity fluorescent sensor DCM-Ala in bacterial biofilms, emphasizing its significance due to the critical role of biofilms in various biological processes. Advanced imaging techniques were employed to visualize pepN activity, introducing a novel approach to examining biofilm maturity. We found that the overexpression of pepN increases the ability of E. coli to form biofilm. The findings demonstrate varying levels of pepN activity throughout biofilm development, suggesting potential applications in biofilm research and management. The results indicate that the fluorescent emission from this sensor could serve as a reliable indicator of biofilm maturity, and the imaging techniques developed could enhance our understanding and control of biofilm-related processes. This work highlights the importance of innovative methods in biofilm study and opens new avenues for utilizing chemical emissions in biofilm management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications)
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12 pages, 6173 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Stability and Detection Range of Microbial Electrochemical Biotoxicity Sensor by Polydopamine Encapsulation
by Zengfu Guan, Jiaguo Yan, Haiyuan Yan, Bin Li, Lei Guo, Qiang Sun, Tie Geng, Xiaoxuan Guo, Lidong Liu, Wenqing Yan and Xin Wang
Biosensors 2024, 14(8), 365; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14080365 - 26 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1278
Abstract
With the rapid development of modern industry, it is urgently needed to measure the biotoxicity of complex chemicals. Microbial electrochemical biotoxicity sensors are an attractive technology; however, their application is usually limited by their stability and reusability after measurements. Here, we improve their [...] Read more.
With the rapid development of modern industry, it is urgently needed to measure the biotoxicity of complex chemicals. Microbial electrochemical biotoxicity sensors are an attractive technology; however, their application is usually limited by their stability and reusability after measurements. Here, we improve their performance by encapsulating the electroactive biofilm with polydopamine (PDA), and we evaluate the improvement by different concentrations of heavy metal ions (Cu2+, Ag+, and Fe3+) in terms of inhibition ratio (IR) and durability. Results indicate that the PDA-encapsulated sensor exhibits a more significant detection concentration than the control group, with a 3-fold increase for Cu2+ and a 1.5-fold increase for Ag+. Moreover, it achieves 15 more continuous toxicity tests than the control group, maintaining high electrochemical activity even after continuous toxicity impacts. Images from a confocal laser scanning microscope reveal that the PDA encapsulation protects the activity of the electroactive biofilm. The study, thus, demonstrates that PDA encapsulation is efficacious in improving the performance of microbial electrochemical biotoxicity sensors, which can extend its application to more complex media. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications)
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12 pages, 2956 KiB  
Article
Nanosensor-Enabled Detection and Identification of Intracellular Bacterial Infections in Macrophages
by Aritra Nath Chattopadhyay, Mingdi Jiang, Jessa Marie V. Makabenta, Jungmi Park, Yingying Geng and Vincent Rotello
Biosensors 2024, 14(8), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14080360 - 25 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2372
Abstract
Opportunistic bacterial pathogens can evade the immune response by residing and reproducing within host immune cells, including macrophages. These intracellular infections provide reservoirs for pathogens that enhance the progression of infections and inhibit therapeutic strategies. Current sensing strategies for intracellular infections generally use [...] Read more.
Opportunistic bacterial pathogens can evade the immune response by residing and reproducing within host immune cells, including macrophages. These intracellular infections provide reservoirs for pathogens that enhance the progression of infections and inhibit therapeutic strategies. Current sensing strategies for intracellular infections generally use immunosensing of specific biomarkers on the cell surface or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the corresponding nucleic acids, making detection difficult, time-consuming, and challenging to generalize. Intracellular infections can induce changes in macrophage glycosylation, providing a potential strategy for signature-based detection of intracellular infections. We report here the detection of bacterial infection in macrophages using a boronic acid (BA)-based pH-responsive polymer sensor array engineered to distinguish mammalian cell phenotypes by their cell surface glycosylation signatures. The sensor was able to discriminate between different infecting bacteria in minutes, providing a promising tool for diagnostic and screening applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications)
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11 pages, 2723 KiB  
Article
Pipeline Terracotta Microbial Fuel Cell: Organic Content Biosensor and Energy Harvesting Device Integrated in Wastewater Pipeline
by Trang Nakamoto, Dung Nakamoto and Kozo Taguchi
Biosensors 2024, 14(5), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14050224 - 30 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1772
Abstract
Wastewater pipelines are present everywhere in urban areas. Wastewater is a preferable fuel for renewable electricity generation from microbial fuel cells. Here, we created an integrated microbial fuel cell pipeline (MFCP) that could be connected to wastewater pipelines and work as an organic [...] Read more.
Wastewater pipelines are present everywhere in urban areas. Wastewater is a preferable fuel for renewable electricity generation from microbial fuel cells. Here, we created an integrated microbial fuel cell pipeline (MFCP) that could be connected to wastewater pipelines and work as an organic content biosensor and energy harvesting device at domestic waste-treatment plants. The MFCP used a pipeline-like terracotta-based membrane, which provided structural support for the MFCP. In addition, the anode and cathode were attached to the inside and outside of the terracotta membrane, respectively. Co−MnO2 was used as a catalyst to improve the performance of the MFCP cathode. The experimental data showed a good linear relationship between wastewater chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration and the MFCP output voltage in a COD range of 200–1900 mg/L. This result implies the potential of using the MFCP as a sensor to detect the organic content of the wastewater inside the wastewater pipeline. Furthermore, the MFCP can be used as a long-lasting sustainable energy harvester with a maximum power density of 400 mW/m2 harvested from 1900 mg/L COD wastewater at 25 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications)
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13 pages, 2749 KiB  
Article
Real-Time On-Site Monitoring of Viruses in Wastewater Using Nanotrap® Particles and RICCA Technologies
by Vishnu Sharma, Hitomi Takamura, Manish Biyani and Ryo Honda
Biosensors 2024, 14(3), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14030115 - 21 Feb 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2524
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an effective and efficient tool for the early detection of infectious disease outbreaks in a community. However, currently available methods are laborious, costly, and time-consuming due to the low concentration of viruses and the presence of matrix chemicals in [...] Read more.
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an effective and efficient tool for the early detection of infectious disease outbreaks in a community. However, currently available methods are laborious, costly, and time-consuming due to the low concentration of viruses and the presence of matrix chemicals in wastewater that may interfere with molecular analyses. In the present study, we designed a highly sensitive “Quick Poop (wastewater with fecal waste) Sensor” (termed, QPsor) using a joint approach of Nanotrap microbiome particles and RICCA (RNA Isothermal Co-Assisted and Coupled Amplification). Using QPsor, the WBE study showed a strong correlation with standard PEG concentrations and the qPCR technique. Using a closed format for a paper-based lateral flow assay, we were able to demonstrate the potential of our assay as a real-time, point-of-care test by detecting the heat-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater at concentrations of 100 copies/mL and within one hour. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, we analyzed the presence of viral RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and PMMoV in raw wastewater samples from wastewater treatment plants on-site and within 60 min. The results show that the QPsor method can be an effective tool for disease outbreak detection by combining an AI-enabled case detection model with real-time on-site viral RNA extraction and amplification, especially in the absence of intensive clinical laboratory facilities. The lab-free, lab-quality test capabilities of QPsor for viral prevalence and transmission in the community can contribute to the efficient management of pandemic situations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications)
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Review

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20 pages, 1451 KiB  
Review
Microbial Transcription Factor-Based Biosensors: Innovations from Design to Applications in Synthetic Biology
by Kyeongseok Song, Haekang Ji, Jiwon Lee and Youngdae Yoon
Biosensors 2025, 15(4), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15040221 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 674
Abstract
Transcription factor-based biosensors (TFBs) are powerful tools in microbial biosensor applications, enabling dynamic control of metabolic pathways, real-time monitoring of intracellular metabolites, and high-throughput screening (HTS) for strain engineering. These systems use transcription factors (TFs) to convert metabolite concentrations into quantifiable outputs, enabling [...] Read more.
Transcription factor-based biosensors (TFBs) are powerful tools in microbial biosensor applications, enabling dynamic control of metabolic pathways, real-time monitoring of intracellular metabolites, and high-throughput screening (HTS) for strain engineering. These systems use transcription factors (TFs) to convert metabolite concentrations into quantifiable outputs, enabling precise regulation of metabolic fluxes and biosynthetic efficiency in microbial cell factories. Recent advancements in TFB, including improved sensitivity, specificity, and dynamic range, have broadened their applications in synthetic biology and industrial biotechnology. Computational tools such as Cello have further revolutionized TFB design, enabling in silico optimization and construction of complex genetic circuits for integrating multiple signals and achieving precise gene regulation. This review explores innovations in TFB systems for microbial biosensors, their role in metabolic engineering and adaptive evolution, and their future integration with artificial intelligence and advanced screening technologies to overcome critical challenges in synthetic biology and industrial bioproduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications)
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20 pages, 7573 KiB  
Review
Sensing Microorganisms Using Rapid Detection Methods: Supramolecular Approaches
by Hiya Lahiri and Kingshuk Basu
Biosensors 2025, 15(3), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15030130 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 577
Abstract
Supramolecular chemistry relies on the dynamic association/dissociation of molecules through non-covalent interactions. These interactions of a self-assembled system can be strategically exploited for sensing several microorganisms. Moreover, supramolecular systems can also be combined with other functional components like nanoparticles, self-assembled monolayers, and microarray [...] Read more.
Supramolecular chemistry relies on the dynamic association/dissociation of molecules through non-covalent interactions. These interactions of a self-assembled system can be strategically exploited for sensing several microorganisms. Moreover, supramolecular systems can also be combined with other functional components like nanoparticles, self-assembled monolayers, and microarray systems to produce multicomponent sensors with higher sensitivity and lower detection time. In this review, we will discuss how cutting-edge supramolecular chemistry has enabled scientists to develop microbial biosensors with high reliability and rapid detection time. Moreover, they produce high-throughput operations, real-time monitoring, extensive operation platforms, and cost-effective production. This review can serve as a conceptual background for understanding state-of-the-art rapid detection methods of microbial biosensing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications)
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53 pages, 30849 KiB  
Review
Microbial Biofilms: Features of Formation and Potential for Use in Bioelectrochemical Devices
by Roman Perchikov, Maxim Cheliukanov, Yulia Plekhanova, Sergei Tarasov, Anna Kharkova, Denis Butusov, Vyacheslav Arlyapov, Hideaki Nakamura and Anatoly Reshetilov
Biosensors 2024, 14(6), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14060302 - 8 Jun 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2676
Abstract
Microbial biofilms present one of the most widespread forms of life on Earth. The formation of microbial communities on various surfaces presents a major challenge in a variety of fields, including medicine, the food industry, shipping, etc. At the same time, this process [...] Read more.
Microbial biofilms present one of the most widespread forms of life on Earth. The formation of microbial communities on various surfaces presents a major challenge in a variety of fields, including medicine, the food industry, shipping, etc. At the same time, this process can also be used for the benefit of humans—in bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and various biotechnological processes. The main direction of using electroactive microbial biofilms is their incorporation into the composition of biosensor and biofuel cells This review examines the fundamental knowledge acquired about the structure and formation of biofilms, the properties they have when used in bioelectrochemical devices, and the characteristics of the formation of these structures on different surfaces. Special attention is given to the potential of applying the latest advances in genetic engineering in order to improve the performance of microbial biofilm-based devices and to regulate the processes that take place within them. Finally, we highlight possible ways of dealing with the drawbacks of using biofilms in the creation of highly efficient biosensors and biofuel cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biosensor: From Design to Applications)
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