Biosensor Prospects: Quo Vadis? (Conclusion)

Abstract

The overview of the approaches to biosensor development and application presented in the previous chapters shows that biosensors have successfully emerged from the laboratories. In most areas, they compete with conventional analytical devices, e.g., chromatographs or spectrophotometers. Their compact design, their user-friendly measurement protocol and their low cost are indisputable advantages in chemical analysis, especially if it assumes any field applications. This is especially true for various substances that are important from the point of view of their potential hazard (environmental pollutants, food contaminants, genotoxic chemicals, etc.) or human health protection (metabolites, nutrients, biomarkers of diseases, or development pathologies). In this chapter, some general considerations of the trends of biosensor progress in specific areas are considered. Probably, some of the statements are disputable and can be rejected by researchers specializing in particular areas; nevertheless, they coincide with the global feeling of future changes in the methodology, research facilities and approaches to biosensor design and its applications.