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Biosensors
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Fluorescent Sensors for Biological and Chemical Detection
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Fluorescent Sensors for Biological and Chemical Detection

A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical and Photonic Biosensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2027 | Viewed by 1458

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Xiaoquan Lu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry and Environmental Analysis of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Interests: novel methods and mechanisms for emerging pollutant detection; chemical metrology and analytical methods; environmental pollution monitoring and remediation; clean energy materials and conversion technologies
Dr. Yubao Lan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry and Environmental Analysis of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Interests: fluorescent sensors; COFs

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on fluorescent sensors as powerful tools for the selective and sensitive detection of biological and chemical species in fields such as medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, food safety, and pharmaceutical analysis. We will collect original research articles and reviews highlighting recent advances in design strategies, novel materials, sensing mechanisms, and real-world applications of fluorescent probes for detecting ions, small molecules, biomolecules (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids), and pathogens.

Fluorescence-based sensing offers high sensitivity, rapid response, and spatial–temporal resolution, making it indispensable for point-of-care testing, imaging, and in situ monitoring. Recent innovations include nanomaterial-enhanced probes (quantum dots, carbon dots, MOFs and COFs), ratiometric sensors, AIE (aggregation-induced emission) systems, and CRISPR-integrated biosensors. Additionally, the integration of smartphone-based detection and wearable fluorescent devices is revolutionizing portable diagnostics.

A typical fluorescent sensor consists of the analyte (target molecule), recognition element (e.g., antibody, aptamer, molecularly imprinted polymer), the fluorophore (signal reporter), the fluorescence sensing mechanism (e.g., FRET, PET, or solvatochromism), and the readout system (spectrometer, smartphone camera, or microfluidic chip). Key questions for contributors: What are the emerging trends in fluorescent probe design (e.g., NIR probes, multi-analyte detection)? How do nanomaterials or supramolecular systems improve sensing performance? What are the critical challenges for selectivity, photostability, and biocompatibility? How can low-cost, portable platforms bridge the gap between laboratory research and field applications? What societal needs (e.g., early disease diagnosis, pollution tracking) can your work address?

We invite submissions on new sensor architectures, mechanistic studies, and interdisciplinary applications. Reviews on comparative sensing technologies or commercialization prospects are also welcome. Join us in advancing this dynamic field!

Prof. Dr. Xiaoquan Lu
Dr. Yubao Lan
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • fluorescent sensors
  • ratiometric sensors
  • nanomaterials
  • biomolecules
  • chemical detection
  • medical diagnostics
  • biological detection
  • fluorescence sensing mechanism

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1335 KB  
Article
A Portable Fluorometer for the Detection of Glyphosate
by Nathanael B. Smith, Adrian S. Rizk, Owen K. Rizk and Shahir S. Rizk
Biosensors 2026, 16(4), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios16040225 - 20 Apr 2026
Viewed by 472
Abstract
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide worldwide, but many current detection methods rely on lab-based chromatography, requiring costly equipment and expert users. Here, we describe a low-cost, field-deployable fluorescence biosensing platform for glyphosate detection in water and soil. An engineered variant of [...] Read more.
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide worldwide, but many current detection methods rely on lab-based chromatography, requiring costly equipment and expert users. Here, we describe a low-cost, field-deployable fluorescence biosensing platform for glyphosate detection in water and soil. An engineered variant of the Escherichia coli periplasmic binding protein PhnD was optimized through strategic fluorophore placement to produce a robust fluorescence signal increase upon glyphosate binding. The biosensor was integrated into a self-contained, 3D-printed device that functions as a miniature fluorometer, providing a simple yes-or-no output for non-expert users while retaining access to raw fluorescence data. The device exhibits nanomolar fluorescence sensitivity with results comparable to a benchtop fluorometer. Using this platform, glyphosate was reliably detected in buffered solutions, commercial herbicides, tap water, and soil extracts. To mitigate false positives arising from phosphate interference, we developed a dual-sensor strategy incorporating an independent phosphate biosensor and a second-generation device capable of multi-wavelength fluorescence detection. Together, these results demonstrate an affordable and versatile biosensing platform with strong potential for field-based environmental monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fluorescent Sensors for Biological and Chemical Detection)
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18 pages, 6029 KB  
Article
tKeima: A Large-Stokes-Shift Platform for Metal Ion Detection
by Yun Gyo Seo, Dan-Gyeong Han and In Jung Kim
Biosensors 2026, 16(3), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios16030178 - 22 Mar 2026
Viewed by 494
Abstract
Detection of metal ions under complex and heterogeneous conditions is crucial for food safety, environmental monitoring, and cellular studies. Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are attractive biosensors due to their ease of expression, strong emission without external cofactors, and fluorescence quenching upon metal binding. tKeima [...] Read more.
Detection of metal ions under complex and heterogeneous conditions is crucial for food safety, environmental monitoring, and cellular studies. Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are attractive biosensors due to their ease of expression, strong emission without external cofactors, and fluorescence quenching upon metal binding. tKeima features a large Stokes shift, pH sensitivity, and spectral stability, reducing background interference and enabling metal detection in complex samples. Here, we examined tKeima quenching toward biologically relevant metal ions (Fe2+, Fe3+, and Cu2+). Metal titration fitted to the Langmuir isotherm yielded dissociation constants (Kd) of 2710.7 ± 178.6 μM (Fe2+), 3112.0 ± 176.7 μM (Fe3+), and 881.9 ± 76.2 μM (Cu2+), with maximum quenching capacities (Bmax) of 133.8 ± 2.4%, 128.3 ± 2.5%, and 109.2 ± 1.2%, respectively. Limits of detection were 396.0 μM (Fe2+), 428.6 μM (Fe3+), and 457.7 μM (Cu2+), and linear quenching responses were observed up to ~1000, 1500, and 1000 μM, respectively. Sphere-of-action combined with Stern–Volmer analysis indicated primarily dynamic quenching for Fe2+ and Cu2+, whereas Fe3+ showed a stronger static component. tKeima showed partial fluorescence restoration with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and moderate selectivity against interfering ions. These findings clarify tKeima’s metal-quenching mechanism and support its use as a platform for metal-responsive biosensors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fluorescent Sensors for Biological and Chemical Detection)
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