Development and evaluation of biosensors for HIV-serology

During the last decade a new generation of sensors, the biosensors, has been developed for the quantitative measurement of biological substances. In serological diagnosis the rapid and sensitive detection of a viral antigen or the induced immunological response is of vital interest. The HIV- system has been chosen as a model system. Ionsensitive fieldeffect transistors and piezoelectric crystals were tested with respect to their suitability for the detection of antibodies. The use of a sensor system based on a biosensor generally possesses - in comparison to conventional analytical systems - advantages like reduced influence of environmental interferences, short response times, and the possibility to develop "intelligent sensors" with the help of integrated signal processing.