Optical biosensors

• describe the basic optical properties, such as total internal reflection (TIR), refraction, diffraction, dispersion, and interference used in optical biosensors.
• describe the theory of optical waveguides, luminescence spectroscopy, Raman Effect and surface plasmons used in optical biosensors.
• explain how the choice of detection chemistry, e.g., immunochemistry, and optical sensing principle determine the specificity, sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio
• classify different fluid handling methods according to use situation.
• assess which factors contribute to false-positive and false-negative response of optical biosensors.
• relate label-free detection methods like Raman spectroscopy to affinity based sensing principles like immunosensors.
• evaluate different optical principles used in optical biosensors.
• determine the user interface required to make a sensing method useful in a clinical/life science setting.
• argue the applicability of a specific optical sensor technology to a given sensing problem.
• assess scientific papers within the topical areas of the course, evaluate the presented choice of technology and, if applicable, propose alternative approaches.

The course will cover the biological background for affinity-based reactions that are the backbone in most optical biosensors based on evanescent sensing in waveguide geometries. This also includes surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based sensors. The principles of luminescent sensing covering both spectral and lifetime-based methods will be covered. A number of optical biosensors used for life science, clinical as well as R&D purposes will be discussed.
An integral part of the course is that students present scientific papers in journal clubs. Throughout the course, practical examples and demonstrations will be used whenever possible. We will also visit companies manufacturing optical biosensors to observe how the theory acquired throughout course is put into work in real life applications. The purpose of these company visits is to make the students acquainted with how the companies evaluate the applicability and feasibility of an optical biosensor before going to production. The regulatory issues pertaining to optical biosensors will also be a part of the company visit.

34430, Basic courses in mathematics and physics

Lectures and journal clubs

Lecturers from DTU Fotonik, DTU Health Tech and a number of invited external lectures.