Liquid Crystal Biosensors: A New Therapeutic Window to Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Abstract

After revolutionizing the field of electro-optic displays, liquid crystals (LCs) are emerging as functional soft materials with wide-ranging biomedical implications. Integrating smart sensor designs with label-free imaging presents exciting opportunities in diagnostics. In this Perspective, we present an elegant collage of the key findings that demonstrate the utility of LC biosensors in diagnosing a disease or infection in clinical samples, cellular microenvironments, or bodily fluids. We emphasize the currently prevalent diagnostic techniques and the advances made using LCs in achieving greater sensitivity, a simplified strategy, multiplexed detection, and so on. We collate the landmark contributions in translational research in LC-based diagnostics. We believe that developing LC-based biosensors presents a new therapeutic window in point-of-care diagnostics.

Electrospun nanofibers synthesis enhancing the activity of energy storage devices/electrochemical and biosensor applications

“…The present generation of highly discerning chemical or biochemical sensor operates on the idea of “lock and key,” necessitating the presence of a recognition unit particular to the target and a signal transduction element at all times [253, 254]. One of the perfect ways that can be employed is the utilization of aptamers, which are single‐stranded DNA or RNA molecules that have the ability to connect with biomolecules [255], antibodies (antigen‐antibody reaction), enzymes (precise bio‐catalysis) [256], other various bio conjugation interactions (e. g. streptavidin/biotin) [257] Alternatively, it may be beneficial to include certain non‐specific conjugates. In a broad sense, numerous physiological processes or metabolic activities exhibit interconnections with multiple biochemical species, rendering it impractical for a solitary sensor to consistently accomplish this task provided in Figure 242526 [258].…”

Microviscosity-Assisted Disaggregation of a Model Ophthalmic Drug and FRET-Controlled Singlet Oxygen Generation in Lyotropic Liquid Crystals

“…Liquid crystals (LCs) belong to a unique class of matter bearing characteristics lying intermediate to solid and liquid states with ordered mobility and showing thermotropic behavior in determining the phases. − These can sometimes be lyotropic when the concentration of the constituting mesogens consolidate the LC phases. , The imparted anisotropy in the lyotropic LCs (LLCs) due to self-assembly of the mesogens make them birefringent and hence are easily characterized by a polarized optical microscope (POM). − The functional and structural diversities and the stimuli-responsive behavior of the LLCs have made them extremely useful in drug delivery and sensing studies as well as in optoelectronics. − Few of the most studied LLC phases are the lamellar, the micellar cubic, the reverse micellar, the hexagonal, and the bicontinuous cubic phases. LLCs, in different phases, are extensively used in drug delivery nowadays.…”

From Body Monitoring to Biomolecular Sensing: Current Progress and Future Perspectives of Triboelectric Nanogenerators in Point-of-Care Diagnostics

“…Point-of-Care Diagnostics (PoCD) have revolutionized medical testing by bringing diagnostic tools directly to the patient’s location [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. This approach significantly reduces the time between testing and obtaining results, which is crucial in many clinical scenarios.…”