Hormonsensor

Hormonsensor is a term that can refer to various technologies designed to detect and measure the concentration of hormones in a biological sample. These sensors are crucial tools in medical diagnostics, research, and the development of personalized medicine. They can be broadly categorized based on their operating principles, which include electrochemical, optical, and mass-based detection methods.

Electrochemical hormonsensors often utilize antibodies or aptamers immobilized on an electrode surface. When a target hormone binds to the immobilized recognition element, it causes a change in electrical properties such as current, voltage, or impedance, which can be measured and correlated to hormone concentration. Optical hormonsensors employ techniques like surface plasmon resonance (SPR), fluorescence, or colorimetric assays. These sensors detect changes in light properties upon hormone binding to a surface-functionalized probe. For example, a fluorescently labeled antibody can be used, and hormone binding alters the fluorescence signal. Mass-based sensors, such as those utilizing microcantilevers or quartz crystal microbalances, detect the mass change occurring when hormones bind to a sensor surface.

The development of hormonsensors aims for high sensitivity, specificity, and rapid detection. Miniaturization of these sensors has led to the creation of point-of-care devices and microfluidic platforms, enabling easier and more frequent monitoring of hormone levels. Applications range from detecting stress hormones like cortisol to reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, and hormones involved in metabolic regulation like insulin. Accurate and timely hormone level monitoring is vital for diagnosing endocrine disorders, managing chronic diseases, and understanding complex biological processes.