Next month will see leading biosensor professionals celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the World Congress of Biosensors in Glasgow with the largest event ever held on the subject. Since the first event held in Singapore in 1990, the Biosensor market has grown to over $12 billion per year and includes everything from DNA chips for genetic profiling to sensors to detect life on Mars. The UK has been at the forefront of the expansion of this highly technical fusion of biology and electronics. 

Biosensors 2010 has been organised by leading science publisher Elsevier and the principal academic journal in the field, Biosensors & Bioelectronics with the support of Cranfield University. 

The conference from 26-28 May at Glasgow's Scottish Conference and Exhibition Centre will consist of presentations and workshops. 

Cranfield's international reputation in the field of biomedical sensors has been built up over 30 years, and has led to the development of highly successful products such as the mediated amperometric glucose sensors now used by people with diabetes throughout the world. 

Current research and development focuses on sensors for healthcare, environmental monitoring, food safety and defence. Medical applications include the detection of cancer and disease biomarkers, the use of optical techniques for early diagnosis and monitoring of disease and gas sensors for the detection of volatile patterns in breath and emanating from clinical samples consistent with particular diseases.  

Cranfield's Distinguished Professor of Biotechnology, Anthony Turner will be chairing the conference. He will be joined by Professor of Bioorganic and Polymer Chemistry, Sergey Piletsky to talk at the conference. 

Professor Turner said: "This unique event brings together the leading minds in the field with the entrepreneurs and funders who can turn their ideas into exciting new products for decentralised testing. Economic pressures are going to force us away from conventional methods of measurement and testing allowing the consumer to buy an ever increasing range of pocket-sized, easy-to-use diagnostic devices to monitor their health, the food they eat and the air they breathe." 

To find out more visit www.biosensors-congress.elsevier.com