Synthetic Biology-based Sensing

Biosensors are affordable and easy-to-use sensing devices for short-term or single-shot measurements. They transduce biological changes in their environment to an analytical signal. Thus, state-of-the-art biosensing systems enable decentralized mining of critical biological and clinically relevant information with high accuracy by anyone, anywhere, and at any time, without worrying about contamination and recalibration. In the last two decades, they have become increasingly important for various applications, including pharmaceutical, forensic, agricultural, environmental, and food analysis to diagnostics, especially point-of-care testing and wearables. However, there are several challenges before their successful commercialization: (i) continuous and real-time monitoring, (ii) multiplexed analysis, (iii) highly selective and sensitive sensing mechanisms, (iv) label-free and reagentless sensing, and (iv) machine learning-driven data analysis and interpretation.
By translating and applying engineering principles into biology, synthetic biology has lately enabled to design and produce many different recognition elements and methods for sensors. In this Symposium, we will see emerging applications of various point-of-care and wearable biosensors based on synthetic biology-driven solutions, such as CRISPR/Cas-based assays, peptides, aptamers, binding proteins, nanoenzymes, living cells, smart hydrogels and molecular pendulums. Bridging the realms of synthetic biology with sensing, analytical chemistry, electronics, materials, and nanotechnology, this interdisciplinary session will bring together global experts to showcase the current and next-generation biosensing devices for decentralized healthcare.