title: Bioelectric recognition assay (BERA).
abstract: A novel biosensory method has been developed for the determination of various chemical and biological molecules by assessing their electrophysiological interactions with a group of cells and cell components immobilized in a gel matrix that preserves their 'physiological' functions. The method was applied for the detection of: (i) hepatitis C virus in human blood samples; (ii) plant viruses; and (iii) a herbicide (glyphosate) in aqueous solutions. It was able to rapidly (assay time 3-5 min) and specifically detect the molecules in question at a concentration lower than 100 pg/ml, among other compounds f similar structure. The potential use of BERA biosensors for a rapid and cost-efficient molecule determination without prior knowledge of a specific receptor-molecule interaction is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855 Athens, Greece. spirokintzios@matrix.kapatel.gr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kintzios
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pistola
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Panagiotopoulos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bomsel
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alexandropoulos
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bem
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ekonomou
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Biselis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002470:Cell Survival; D018914:Cells, Immobilized; D006801:Humans