Biosensor Device and Methods

The sensor of any preceding claim in which the sensor is capable of detecting binding of an analyte to the OrX in the insect odorant receptor complex by detecting the change in the electrical characteristic of the substrate.

The sensor of any preceding claim in which the insect odorant receptor complex is present in a form that is capable of undergoing a conformational change in response binding of the analyte.

The sensor of any preceding claim in which the insect odorant receptor complex is present in a membrane mimic.

The sensor of any preceding claim in which the substrate is selected from, or composed of, at least one of:

• an electrode, a semiconductor material, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, an oxide, doped silicon, a conducting polymer, and a resonator component.

The sensor of any preceding claim in which the electrical characteristic is selected from at least one of:

• conductivity, resistance, complex resistance, impedance, electrochemical impedance, electrochemical potential, the flow of current, and the resonance frequency of oscillations induced by an alternating electric field.

The sensor of claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises a control system which is configured to measure an electrical characteristic across the first and second electrodes, preferably to detect a current flowing between the first and second electrodes.

A method of detecting an analyte, the method comprising the steps:

• a) binding of the analyte to the insect OrX in the sensor of any preceding claim,
• b) detecting a change in an electrical characteristic of the substrate,
• wherein the change in the electrical characteristic of the substrate indicates detection of the analyte.

A method of manufacturing a sensor device the method including the step of establishing electrical communication between an insect odorant receptor complex, comprising an OrX and an Orco, and the substrate of the sensor device, wherein the sensor device is configured to detect a change in an electrical characteristic of the substrate.

A sensor device component comprising an insect odorant receptor complex, comprising an OrX and an Orco, in electrical communication with a substrate.

A method of manufacturing a sensor device component, the method including the step of establishing electrical communication between an insect odorant receptor complex, comprising an OrX and an Orco, and a substrate.