Prof. Lin-Chi Chen (陳林祈)’s “biomolecular sensing devices (BSDs),” is an introductory course of “biosensor technology principle and practice” designed for senior undergraduates or graduates who are interested in or get involved in the growing interdisciplinary R&D activities in point-of-care biosensors, rapid molecular diagnostics, micro-total analysis systems, and miniaturized biochips. The course will begin with anatomy of a biosensor and understanding analytes with their biological significances. Two major classes of molecular recognition (catalysis vs. affinity-based) and three common strategies of signal transduction (electrochemical, electronic, and photonic) that are the pillars of biosensor technology will be introduced and discussed before the midterm exam. The second half of the course will start with the bioconjugation technique that is used to anchor a molecular recognition element on a transducer surface and thus construct the core feature of a biosensor. Later on, the case studies on the design, fabrication, and application issues for the four levels of biosensors – ion-selective biosensors, small-molecule biosensors, immunosensors and gene sensors, will be described and illustrated with either commercial or cutting-edge examples. Finally, the course will also deal with the practical issues including the performance-enhancing strategies, niche markets, future R&D trends, and regulation and ethical aspects of biosensor technology.
The BSD course was developed in fall 2005, and it is the sixth time that the course is lectured. The course’s old lecture handouts (ver. 2011 Fall) can be obtained on the CEIBA website via the following link: https://ceiba.ntu.edu.tw/1001BSD (now open to the public). In this semester, a new series of lecture handouts containing updated, state-of-the art information (being developed) will be offered. Biosensor technology is an interdisciplinary topic, so we welcome students with different backgrounds to join in the class. We will also group students with different backgrounds to promote better brainstorming and idea incubation. So, welcome to this semester’s BSD class and enjoy your stay and learning!

*Lecture hours plan (for every week):
15 mins: Opening & Preview
120 mins: Elaborate the section contents, examples, exercise, and so on.
20 mins: Hands-on demo activities
15 mins: Q&A (discussion on the course content & students'real research task/bottleneck)