The global market for bio-sensing technology is rapidly growing and is forecast to reach $12 billion by the year 2015. Although medical applications continue to dominate the biosensors market, technologies are also infiltrating the bio-defence, environmental monitoring and process industry. The reasons for this market growth are rooted in the increase in research and development activities undertaken in companies and universities, resulting in the emergence of new technologies. An important driver for this lies in the many opportunities offered by new markets and application areas. For example, governments around the world struggle with health care costs and ageing populations, the introduction of bio-sensing technology that can keep patients out of expensive hospital beds and potentially reduce costly drug bills are seen as big attractions. The Institute of Bio-Sensing Technology is focused on developing new technology working closely with industrial partners to maximise the exploitation of new bio-sensing devices. In this presentation I will review new and emerging application areas and technologies in the bio-sensing field and will explain how the development and application of magnetic detection technology could form the basis of future diagnostic methods.