The two HortResearch teams investigating biosensors are well known internationally for their high quality science and commercial outputs. This science area forms a significant part of HortResearch's commitment to provide innovative research solutions for our clients.
The biosensors & biomeasurement team is specialised in enzymatic sensors, immunosensors, imprinted polymer, optical sensors and biophysical sensors and their applications. Our team uses our proprietary technologies to produce biosensor prototypes for commercialisation in these application areas:
The prototypes are small devices used to measure the concentration of chemical compounds. We have expertise in spectroscopy, electronics, biological subsystems, and molecular olfaction nanotechnology, as well as prototyping facilities. In addition we have complementary modelling capabilities that we use to understand and predict biological properties
In humans, animals and insects, smell is a key sense. The study of this ability to detect volatile compounds is the work of the HortResearch molecular olfaction team. Our team is working on the development of technology for use in biosensors, in particular a small, portable, “electronic nose”. Applications for such an instrument include biosecurity screening of luggage, bomb detection, medical diagnosis through breath analysis, or food industry uses such as identification of undesirable micro-organisms. We also study animal olfaction, learning how different animals detect compounds and identifying specific compounds that influence their behaviour.
Contact: