Material-Based Biosensors and Biosensing Strategies

A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensor Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1804

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
Interests: graphene; 2D materials; electrochemical biosensors/sensors; portable devices; point of care testing
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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Interests: single entity impact electrochemistry; fluidized electrochemistry; scanning electrochemical microscopy; bioanalysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advancements in biosensing technologies have led to significant developments in various fields, including medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety.

The Special Issue will focus on novel materials such as nanomaterials, conductive polymers, and biomimetic structures that are revolutionizing the biosensing landscape. We seek original research articles and reviews that highlight the synthesis, characterization, and application of these materials in biosensing applications. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  1. Nanomaterials in Biosensing: The use of nanoparticles, quantum dots, and nanocomposites to improve biosensor performance;
  2. Biomaterials: Exploration of natural polymers and biorecognition elements that enhance sensor functionality;
  3. Microfluidic and Lab-on-a-Chip Technologies: Innovations in integrating materials into miniaturized platforms for real-time analysis;
  4. Smart Biosensing Strategies: Development of biosensors with advanced signal transduction mechanisms, including electrochemical, optical, and piezoelectric methods;
  5. Applications: The practical application of material-based biosensors in clinical, environmental, or agricultural settings.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of material-based biosensors and to foster collaboration among researchers in the field. By gathering diverse perspectives and innovative strategies, we hope to inspire future research directions and applications that will further enhance the impact of biosensing technologies on society.

Dr. Huanyu Cheng
Prof. Dr. Cheng-Te Lin
Prof. Dr. Yige Zhou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biosensors is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biosensor
  • bioelectronics
  • Lab-on-a-Chip
  • nanomaterials
  • polymer

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3820 KiB  
Article
Cellulose-Based Colorimetric Test Strips for SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Detection
by Mariana P. Sousa, Ana Cláudia Pereira, Bárbara Correia, Anália do Carmo, Ana Miguel Matos, Maria Teresa Cruz and Felismina T. C. Moreira
Biosensors 2025, 15(6), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15060390 - 17 Jun 2025
Viewed by 561
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for rapid, cost-effective tools to monitor transmission and immune response. We developed two novel paper-based colorimetric biosensors using glutaraldehyde as a protein dye—its first use in this context. Glutaraldehyde reacts with amino groups to generate a brown [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for rapid, cost-effective tools to monitor transmission and immune response. We developed two novel paper-based colorimetric biosensors using glutaraldehyde as a protein dye—its first use in this context. Glutaraldehyde reacts with amino groups to generate a brown color, enabling detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Wathman filter paper was functionalized with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) to immobilize virus-like particles (VLPs) and nucleocapsid protein (N-protein) as biorecognition elements. Upon incubation with antibody-containing samples, glutaraldehyde enabled colorimetric detection using RGB analysis in ImageJ software. Both sensors showed a linear correlation between antibody concentration and RGB values in buffer and serum. The VLP sensor responded linearly within the range of 1.0–20 µg/mL (green coordinate) in 500-fold diluted serum and the N-protein sensor from 1.0–40 µg/mL (blue coordinate) in 250-fold diluted serum. Both sensors demonstrated good selectivity, with glucose causing up to 18% interference. These biosensors represent a paradigm shift, as they provide a sensitive, user-friendly, and cost-effective option for semi-quantitative serological analysis. Furthermore, their versatility goes beyond the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and suggests broader applicability for various molecular targets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Material-Based Biosensors and Biosensing Strategies)
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Review

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40 pages, 2353 KiB  
Review
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy-Based Biosensors for Label-Free Detection of Pathogens
by Huaiwei Zhang, Zhuang Sun, Kaiqiang Sun, Quanwang Liu, Wubo Chu, Li Fu, Dan Dai, Zhiqiang Liang and Cheng-Te Lin
Biosensors 2025, 15(7), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070443 - 10 Jul 2025
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Abstract
The escalating threat of infectious diseases necessitates the development of diagnostic technologies that are not only rapid and sensitive but also deployable at the point of care. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has emerged as a leading technique for the label-free detection of pathogens, [...] Read more.
The escalating threat of infectious diseases necessitates the development of diagnostic technologies that are not only rapid and sensitive but also deployable at the point of care. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has emerged as a leading technique for the label-free detection of pathogens, offering a unique combination of sensitivity, non-invasiveness, and adaptability. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the design and application of EIS-based biosensors tailored for pathogen detection, focusing on critical components such as biorecognition elements, electrode materials, nanomaterial integration, and surface immobilization strategies. Special emphasis is placed on the mechanisms of signal generation under Faradaic and non-Faradaic modes and how these underpin performance characteristics such as the limit of detection, specificity, and response time. The application spectrum spans bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens, with case studies highlighting detection in complex matrices such as blood, saliva, food, and environmental water. Furthermore, integration with microfluidics and point-of-care systems is explored as a pathway toward real-world deployment. Emerging strategies for multiplexed detection and the utilization of novel nanomaterials underscore the dynamic evolution of the field. Key challenges—including non-specific binding, matrix effects, the inherently low ΔRct/decade sensitivity of impedance transduction, and long-term stability—are critically evaluated alongside recent breakthroughs. This synthesis aims to support the future development of robust, scalable, and user-friendly EIS-based pathogen biosensors with the potential to transform diagnostics across healthcare, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Material-Based Biosensors and Biosensing Strategies)
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42 pages, 5913 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Flexible Sensors for Neural Interfaces: Multimodal Sensing, Signal Integration, and Closed-Loop Feedback
by Siyi Yang, Xiujuan Qiao, Junlong Ma, Zhihao Yang, Xiliang Luo and Zhanhong Du
Biosensors 2025, 15(7), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070424 - 2 Jul 2025
Viewed by 815
Abstract
The rapid advancement of flexible sensor technology has profoundly transformed neural interface research, enabling multimodal information acquisition, real-time neurochemical and electrophysiological signal monitoring, and adaptive closed-loop regulation. This review systematically summarizes recent developments in flexible materials and microstructural designs optimized for enhanced biocompatibility, [...] Read more.
The rapid advancement of flexible sensor technology has profoundly transformed neural interface research, enabling multimodal information acquisition, real-time neurochemical and electrophysiological signal monitoring, and adaptive closed-loop regulation. This review systematically summarizes recent developments in flexible materials and microstructural designs optimized for enhanced biocompatibility, mechanical compliance, and sensing performance. We highlight the progress in integrated sensing systems capable of simultaneously capturing electrophysiological, mechanical, and neurochemical signals. The integration of carbon-based nanomaterials, metallic composites, and conductive polymers with innovative structural engineering is analyzed, emphasizing their potential in overcoming traditional rigid interface limitations. Furthermore, strategies for multimodal signal fusion, including electrochemical, optical, and mechanical co-sensing, are discussed in depth. Finally, we explore future perspectives involving the convergence of machine learning, miniaturized power systems, and intelligent responsive materials, aiming at the translation of flexible neural interfaces from laboratory research to practical clinical interventions and therapeutic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Material-Based Biosensors and Biosensing Strategies)
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