  Biosensors are frequently used nowadays for the sake of their attractive
capabilities. Because of their high accuracy and precision, they are more and
more used in the medical sector. Natural receptors are mostly used, but their
use have some specific drawbacks. Therefore, new read-out methods are being
developed where there is no need for these receptors. Via a Transient Plane
Source (TPS) sensor, the thermal properties of a fluid can be determined. These
sensors can detect the capability of a fluid to absorb heat i.e. the thermal
effusivity. By the way of monitoring this property, many potential bioprocesses
can be monitored. The use of this promising technique was further developed in
this research for later use of detecting cell growth and protein
concentrations. Firstly, the thermal properties of growth medium and yeast
cells were determined. Here, it became clear that the thermal properties change
in different concentrations. Also, measurements were performed on protein
concentration. No unambiguously results were obtained from these tests. But,
the overall results from the use of this sensor are very promising, especially
in the cell detection compartment. However, further research will tell about
the applicability and sensitivity of this type of sensor.
