Abstract: An electrochemical-sensing apparatus for analyzing a sample of a user. The apparatus has a housing with a port for receiving an electrochemical-sensor structure having a counter electrode (CE), a reference electrode (RE), and at least one working electrode (WE) for contacting the sample, and an analysis circuitry for coupling to the electrodes for analyzing biomarkers in the sample, and an output for outputting an analytical result. The analysis circuitry has a circuit for generating an excitation signal and applying it to CE and RE, at least one frequency analyzer for receiving a return signal from the at least one WE for analyzing the sample, and a set of switches for short-circuiting CE and RE and for engaging at least one calibration resistor to CE/RE and the at least one frequency analyzer for directing a calibration signal to the at least one frequency analyzer component for calibration.

Abstract: An electrochemical-sensor structure having a substrate and a nanostmctured-sensing surface that receives a volume of a sample fluid. A sample region of the electrochemical-sensor structure for receiving the sample fluid volume is sized such that the volume of the fluid is sufficient to operatively cover a portion of the sample region of the electrochemical-sensor structure including the nanostructured-sensing surface. The electrochemical-sensor structure is connectable to a portable point-of-care (PoC) device. The PoC device may detect the energy properties of the sample fluid from the sample region of the electrochemical-sensor structure, to produce a signal comprising a fluid reading wherein the fluid reading is related to the energy properties of a biomarker in the sample fluid thereby indicating the presence, the absence, or the quantity of the biomarker in the sample fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensor that alters its photoluminescent properties upon a binding event between a food-borne analyte and an analyte-specific aptamer (ASA). The ASA may recognize and bind the food-borne analyte, which is referred to herein as the binding event. In some embodiments of the present disclosure the ASA is a strand of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Some embodiments of the present disclosure the ASA may be conjugated with a chemically modified photoluminescent matrix material. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the food-borne analyte may be conjugated with a quencher that may be incorporated into the system for reducing false signals.