title: Cell-based biosensors: current trends of the development.
abstract: In the last decade, a number of laboratories have developed devices that combine electronic components with living cells, including neurons. These devices can be used as cell-based biosensors or labs-on-a-chip for testing of the tumor cell sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs, detection of toxins and chemical substances and pre-clinical evaluation of new drugs. Here we review briefly the existing types of the cell-based biosensors and the strategies employed to improve these complex devices. We argue that, for the neuron-based biosensors, introduction of structure in the connections of the synaptic network should significantly improve the utility of such devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ""G.Natta"", Politecnico di Milano, Milano - Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baranauskas
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gusmeroli
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Spinelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Raimondi