We report that electropolymerization parameters (duration and voltage) modulate the properties and morphological structures of photoactive polymers which influence both the efficiency of bioreceptor attachment to the polymer surface, and the resulting biosensor assay performance. We have compared two biosensor technologies, optical and electrochemical, for the detection of anti-cholera toxin antibodies using our singular conductive optic fibers, albeit at this stage in separate experiments. Both biosensor systems were more sensitive than conventional detection and pave the way for the possibility to one day make simultaneous optical and electrochemical sensing using the same biosensor. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.