Recent Trends in Nanomaterial-Based Biosensors for Point-of-Care Testing

Abstract

In recent years, nanomaterials of different shape, size, and composition have been prepared and characterized, such as gold and silver nanoparticles, quantum dots, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, carbon nanomaterials, and hybrid nanocomposites. Because of their unique physical and chemical properties, these nanomaterials are increasingly used in point-of-care testing (POCT) to improve analytical performance and simplify detection process. They are used either as carriers for immobilizing biorecognition elements, or as labels for signal generation, transduction and amplification. In this commentary, we highlight recent POCT technologies that employ nanotechnology for the analysis of disease biomarkers, including small-molecule metabolites, enzymes, proteins, nucleic acids, cancer cells, and pathogens. Recent advances in lateral flow tests, printable electrochemical biosensors, and microfluidics-based devices are summarized. Existing challenges and future directions are also discussed.

Flexible Biosensors Based on Colorimetry, Fluorescence, and Electrochemistry for Point-of-Care Testing

“…The development of nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, metal nanoparticles, graphene and quantum dots) for biosensors has been broadly reported in recent years ( Lim et al, 2015 ; Nguyen and Kim, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020 ). Nanomaterials can be used as signal markers or carriers of signal markers for sensitive and specific detection of biomolecules, in addition, a number of nanomaterials with excellent optical properties have been widely applied in colorimetric analysis ( Aydindogan et al, 2018 ).…”

State-of-the-Art Smart and Intelligent Nanobiosensors for SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis

“…Biological samples generally comprise molecules such as nucleic acid and protein, but currently, most analyses merely perceive one analyte at a time. Therefore, attention needs to be given to enhancing efficacy, sensitivity, and selectivity; moreover, it is important to concurrently examine numerous analytes because various assays can acquire more information [ 170 ]. Traditional tools for respiratory virus detection are the most precise, extremely sensitive, and quantitative assay for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and are accessible solutions for the earliest assay.…”

Lifting the Veil: Characteristics, Clinical Significance, and Application of β-2-Microglobulin as Biomarkers and Its Detection with Biosensors

“…As such, researchers have dedicated themselves to developing nanomaterial-based immuno-sensors, with many electrode surface modifications, that enhance biorecognition activities for highly sensitive biomarker detection and increased measurement accuracy. 168 Although downscaling sensing materials into two-dimensional (2D), one-dimensional (1D), or zero-dimensional (0D) structures have been found to increase protein and DNA detection down to attomolar and femtomolar ranges, 169,170 the high fabrication cost of the scaled-up productions as well as variations between devices poses a challenge. If the biomarkers in the biosensor array consist of different structures or physical properties, a different set of dynamic ranges could be used to simultaneously detect multiple biomarkers, for instance if a biomarker consists of nucleic acid sequences, proteins, and cells.…”

“…Despite an overwhelming clinical need, the translation of biosensor devices from laboratories to clinical applications has to enjoy limited but notable progresses due to high background or noise signals as well as limited detection accuracy in clinical samples. As such, researchers have dedicated themselves to developing nanomaterial-based immuno-sensors, with many electrode surface modifications, that enhance biorecognition activities for highly sensitive biomarker detection and increased measurement accuracy . Although downscaling sensing materials into two-dimensional (2D), one-dimensional (1D), or zero-dimensional (0D) structures have been found to increase protein and DNA detection down to attomolar and femtomolar ranges, , the high fabrication cost of the scaled-up productions as well as variations between devices poses a challenge.…”