The interest in finding reliable and highly sensitive sensors for water quality control has grown recently empowered by the explosion of cutting-edge technologies such as nanotechnologies, optoelectronics, and computing on one hand and by the increasing need for more secure control of water quality on the other hand. This book highlights a number of modern topics in the field of biosensing particularly for water sensing in which the signal is enhanced, starting from surface enhanced spectroscopies using plasmonic structures such as Raman scattering (SERS), infrared enhanced absorption (SEIRA), and surface enhanced fluorescence (SEF). The SPR enhanced detection is highlighted in two chapters and addressed using signal processing and the use of color of solutions as a result of modification of the LSPR properties of nanoparticles. Porous materials are another field of research where the enhancement is achieved due to the increasing the area- to-volume ratio. Good examples are the two emerging fields of porous Si and sculptured thin films prepared by the oblique deposition technique. One of the long standing problems is bacteria detection in water which is addressed thoroughly with emphasis on the problems usually encountered in detecting large bioentities.

This book describes the design and the use of bioluminescent biosensors. It introduces beginners and experienced researchers starting in the microbiological biosensor domain to the practical aspects of building a luminescent microbial biosensor. It is also a source of information about other applications that use microbial cells. Each chapter focuses as far as possible on the technological conception of the presented biosensor with a clear demonstration of the issues in the design and how to reach the proof of concept. The book is divided into three practical sections facilitating the reader to easily access the information.

This book illustrates a variety of challenges that bug hunters try to solve. It is an outstanding collection of the insights and expertise of an interdisciplinary group of researchers from all walks of life: virologists, physicians, immunologists, electrochemists, physicists, computer scientists, biotechnologists, epidemiologists, and molecular biologists, all working at the forefront of diagnostics in fields that cross scientific boundaries. Notwithstanding a dire moment as that of the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa that saddens us all, we must more than ever peregrinate across oceans, and take the fight to them, as these invisible and exotic but deadly enemies know no barriers and constantly invade our lives. The coming epidemics and killer pandemics require us to continuously innovate in areas of prevention, detection, and therapy. The present volume focuses on creating virus alerts or hand-held detectors to bring to the field during an epidemic, when possible, or tools for the healthcare worker to rapidly diagnose the patient's ailment. The authors describe the conventional cell cultures and molecular biology methodologies, while introducing state-of-the-art multidisciplinary biosensors. This book is not a manual, set of protocols, or a textbook; it is a glimpse into the advances of virus diagnostic research. Included are a variety of topics that encompass world health issues, local folklore such as associating outbreaks with witchcraft, problems in getting healthcare workers to the outbreak areas, and insights in viral diagnostic pitfalls.