Green microalgae are gaining attention in the renewable energy field due to their ability to convert light into energy in biophotovoltaic (BPV) cells. The poor exogenous electron transfer kinetics of such microorganisms requires the use of redox mediators to improve the performance of related biodevices. Redox polymers are advantageous in the development of subcellular-based BPV devices by providing an improved electron transfer while simultaneously serving as immobilization matrix. However, these surface-confined redox mediators have been rarely used in microorganism-based BPVs. Since electron transfer relies on the proximity between cells and the redox centres at the polymer matrix, the development of molecularly tailored surfaces is of great significance to fabricate more efficient BPV cells. We propose a bioanode integrating Chlorella vulgaris embedded in an Os complex-modified redox polymer. Chlorella vulgaris cells are functionalized with 3-aminophenylboronic acid that exhibits high affinity to saccharides in the cell wall as a basis for an improved integration with the redox polymer. Maximum photocurrents of (5 ± 1) µA cm^-2 are achieved. The developed bioanode is further coupled to a bilirubin oxidase-based biocathode for a proof-of-concept BPV cell. The obtained results encourage the optimization of electron-transfer pathways toward the development of advanced microalgae-based biophotovoltaic devices.

A ferrocene labelled aptamer is used as a redox partner of co-immobilised microperoxidase demonstrating a reversible amperometric biomolecular device that could respond to external stimuli in real time.

Screen printing technique has been used to manufacture a microsystem where the graphite-based electrodes hold both a functional and an architectural task. The thick film manufacturing technique has proved valid to develop a very low volume (ca. 20 μL) device where different electrochemical operations can be very efficiently performed. Biomolecule immobilisation within the microsystem for biosensors applications has been explored by inducing and optimizing the in situ generation of a potential pulse polypyrrole electropolymerised film entrapping either glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase. This biomodified microsystem was applied to the ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of alkaline phosphatase yielding limits of detection below 10⁻¹² M for glucose oxidase and of 10⁻¹⁵ M for glucose dehydrogenase modified systems, within 15 min of incubation time. The results obtained showed the advantages of using low volume microsystems in combination with an optimised polypyrrole–enzyme film, which displayed a good immobilisation efficiency in conjunction with a good diffusion of species through. Ultrasensitive detection of AP in combination with a stable and reproducible surface modification for entrapping of biomolecules opens the window for new electrochemical detection platform with great potential for integrated biosensor applications.