Dear Colleagues,

Biosensors and bioanalytical devices that are able to provide accurate detection of target analytes have always been important in the fields of medical diagnostics, food testing and environmental monitoring. Many of the available diagnostic and detection platform technologies require the operation of bulky instruments by well-trained staff and it often takes days to complete a single testing. Over the years, there are increasing needs for the development of portable, integrated biosensors that can be operated outside the laboratory by untrained personnel. These devices, once developed, will have a major impact on the applications of personal care, health, food, and environment monitoring.

Until now, other than glucose sensors and pregnancy testing strips, very few biosensors have demonstrated their success in large scale and long term operations. Encouragingly, in recent years, because of the improved understanding in genomics and proteomics and the advances in techniques of microfabrication and instrumentation, many interesting and innovative concepts and prototypes for integrated and automated bioanalytical systems have been reported.

This special issue entitled "Biosensors for Point of Care Applications" is intended to be a timely and comprehensive report on new emerging technologies that are currently being developed by research laboratories world-wide on biosensors and biomicrodevices (e.g. DNA sensor, protein sensor, glucose sensor, immunosensor, biochip, bioMEMS) with emphasis on, but limited to, point of care and point of use applications. Research papers, short communications and reviews are all welcome. In case the author is interested in submitting a review, it would be helpful to discuss with the guest-editor before your submission.

Dr. Mohammed Zourob
Guest Editor

• biosensors
• biomicrosystem
• biochip
• biodetection
• Point of Care
• DNA
• protein