In situ Monitoring of Drug Action Using Sensors

Abstract

The application of electrochemical sensors to biochemical analysis is attractive, because the measurement is fast, easy, and continuous in a turbid cell suspension. In addition, the apparatus used is inexpensive. In this paper, we report on how electrochemical sensors, such as oxygen electrode and ion sensors, are useful to analyze the photoinactivation of bacteria induced by dyes. Furthermore, we coupled a K⁺ sensor with spectrometry. This methodology enabled us to rapidly screen the sizes of pores formed in a liposomal membrane. We also describe a simple method for constructing ion sensors in a laboratory.