The project will improve the understanding of biosensors mode of action, in particular of bio/bio and bio/non -bio interface mechanisms at the nanoscale level to provide solutions for the development of new generation biosensors enabling a more sensitive and accurate monitoring of the presence of quality markers and pollutants in environmental and food matrices. Such improvements will be provided by the coordinated development of a number of novel nanotechnology-based biosensors targeted to the detection of selected analytes that are important markers of environmental and food quality, and consequently pose a threat to the life of humans, animals and plants. Research activities will be oriented at the development of (i) new sensing surfaces thus maximizing and/or facilitating contact with the sample, (ii) new procedures to activate the non-bio surface and to immobilize the bioactive molecules to the surface of the sensor and (iii) new biomolecules to be used as receptors. The main results obtained will provide a significant improvement of the know-how about the development of nanotechnology-based biosensors for environmental and food analysis.
We can identify several innovations arising from the increased knowledge of the several processes involved in the biosensors development and detection target of this project: a) electrochemical sensing transducer modification to ensure efficient mediated or direct electron transfer; b) employment of nanostructured materials in the immobilization procedures to assure a better sensing transducer-biorecognition element integration; c) development of tailored immobilization methods for the stabilization of biorecognition elements properties; d) enhancement and optimization of the real-time monitoring of food and environmental matrices.