Whole Cell Biosensors for Environmental Monitoring

Biosensors are chemical sensors with a biological component which is normally used to impart selectivity to the sensor. Such devices have been under development for more than 20 years. Most particularly, the clinical and health care markets have been addressed since these were seen as being both large and lucrative. However, in recent years the development of sensors for environmental monitoring has received impetus from the increasing public awareness of “green” issues and consequent burgeoning of legislative requirements.