Cell-Based Biosensors for Rapid Detection and Monitoring (2nd Edition)

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 1718

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Guest Editor
School of Food, Biotechnology and Development (TBA), Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece
Interests: cell-based biosensors; cell and neuronal differentiation; real-time monitoring systems; high-throughput screening or diagnostics systems
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cells, as biorecognition elements, have many advantages such as sensitivity and rapid response to various stimuli. During the last decade, researchers have achieved progress in improving the selectivity of cells against desired target analytes as well as their integration into biosensors, which have led to their use in many applications. For this reason, cell-based biosensors represent one of the most advanced and, at the same time, challenging scientific and technological domains in analytical and diagnostic sciences. The most popular application is in toxicology research but, due to selectivity improvement, they are also used as analytical devices for specific molecules. This Biosensors Special Issue on “Cell-Based Biosensors for Rapid Detection and Monitoring” is intended to be a timely and comprehensive Issue on very recent and emerging technologies in the fascinating field of cell-based biosensors for the rapid detection of molecules such as biomarkers, environmental pollutants, etc., and/or the monitoring of cell physiology in response to pharmacological or environmental stimuli. Topics include, but are not restricted to, cell-based methodological approaches, synthetic cell manufacturing (targeted genome editing, genetic circuits, membrane engineering, etc.), integration of cell-based biosensors into platforms, and current applications and perspectives for cell-based biosensors and analytical devices for toxicology and drug research, such as lab-on-a-chip or organ-like cultures. Research papers, short communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Dr. Georgia Moschopoulou
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • analytical devices
  • bioelectric
  • cell-based biosensors
  • enviromental pollutants
  • food safety
  • impedimetric biosensors
  • medical diagnostics
  • microbial fuel cells
  • toxicology
  • synthetic cells

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 5026 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Biomarker Detection and Imaging Performance of Smartphone Fluorescence Microscopy Devices
by Muhammad Ahsan Sami, Muhammad Nabeel Tahir and Umer Hassan
Biosensors 2025, 15(7), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070403 - 21 Jun 2025
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Abstract
Fluorescence microscopy enabled by smartphone-coupled 3D instruments has shown utility in different biomedical applications ranging from diagnostics to biomanufacturing. Recently, we have designed and developed these devices and have demonstrated their utility in micro-nano particle sensing and leukocyte imaging. Here, we present a [...] Read more.
Fluorescence microscopy enabled by smartphone-coupled 3D instruments has shown utility in different biomedical applications ranging from diagnostics to biomanufacturing. Recently, we have designed and developed these devices and have demonstrated their utility in micro-nano particle sensing and leukocyte imaging. Here, we present a novel application for enhancing the imaging performance of smartphone fluorescence microscopes (SFM) and reducing their operational complexity. Computational noise correction is employed using 3D Averaging and 3D Gaussian filters of different kernel sizes (3 × 3 × 3, 7 × 7 × 7, 11 × 11 × 11, 15 × 15 × 15, and 21 × 21 × 21) and various standard deviations σ (for Gaussian only). Fluorescent beads of different sizes (8.3, 2, 1, 0.8 µm) were imaged using a custom-designed SFM. The application of the computational filters significantly enhanced the signal quality of particle detection in the captured fluorescent images. Amongst the Averaging filters, a kernel size of 21 × 21 × 21 produced the best results for all bead sizes, and similarly, amongst Gaussian filters, σ equal to 5 and a kernel size equal to 21 × 21 × 21 produced the best results. This visual improvement was then quantified by calculating the signal-difference-to-noise ratio (SDNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of filtered and unfiltered original images using a custom-developed quality assessment algorithm (AQAFI). Lastly, noise correction using Averaging and Gaussian filters with the previously identified optimal parameters was applied to images of fluorescently tagged human peripheral blood leukocytes captured using an SFM under various conditions. The ubiquitous nature and simplistic application of these filters enable their utility with a range of existing fluorescence microscope designs, thus allowing us to enhance their imaging capabilities. Full article
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14 pages, 2190 KiB  
Article
Flow-Based Dielectrophoretic Biosensor for Detection of Bacteriophage MS2 as a Foodborne Virus Surrogate
by Inae Lee, Heejin So, Kacie K. H. Y. Ho, Yong Li and Soojin Jun
Biosensors 2025, 15(6), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15060353 - 3 Jun 2025
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Abstract
Norovirus, a foodborne pathogen, causes a significant economic and health burden globally. Although detection methods exist, they are expensive and non-field deployable. A flow-based dielectrophoretic biosensor was designed for the detection of foodborne pathogenic viruses and was tested using bacteriophage MS2 as a [...] Read more.
Norovirus, a foodborne pathogen, causes a significant economic and health burden globally. Although detection methods exist, they are expensive and non-field deployable. A flow-based dielectrophoretic biosensor was designed for the detection of foodborne pathogenic viruses and was tested using bacteriophage MS2 as a norovirus surrogate. The flow-based MS2 sensor comprises a concentrator and a detector. The concentrator is an interdigitated electrode array designed to impart dielectrophoretic effects to manipulate viral particles toward the detector in a fluidic channel. The detector is made of a silver electrode conjugated with anti-MS2 IgG to allow for antibody–antigen biorecognition events and is supplied with the electrical current for the purpose of measurement. Serially diluted MS2 suspensions were continuously injected into the fluidic channel at 0.1 mL/min. A cyclic voltammogram indicated that current measurements from single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-coated electrodes increased compared to uncoated electrodes. Additionally, a drop in the current measurements after antibody immobilization and MS2 capture was observed with the developed electrodes. Antibody immobilization at the biorecognition site provided greater current changes with the antibody-MS2 complexes vs. the assays without antibodies. The electric field applied to the fluidic channel at 10 Vpp and 1 MHz contributed to an increase in current changes in response to MS2 bound on the detector and was dependent on the MS2 concentrations in the sample. The developed biosensor was able to detect MS2 with a sensitivity of 102 PFU/mL within 15 min. Overall, this work demonstrates a proof of concept for a rapid and field-deployable strategy to detect foodborne pathogens. Full article
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Review

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20 pages, 16333 KiB  
Review
The Burgeoning Importance of Nanomotion Sensors in Microbiology and Biology
by Marco Girasole and Giovanni Longo
Biosensors 2025, 15(7), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070455 - 15 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Nanomotion sensors have emerged as a pivotal technology in microbiology and biology, leveraging advances in nanotechnology, microelectronics, and optics to provide a highly sensitive, label-free detection of biological activity and interactions. These sensors were first limited to nanomechanical oscillators like atomic force microscopy [...] Read more.
Nanomotion sensors have emerged as a pivotal technology in microbiology and biology, leveraging advances in nanotechnology, microelectronics, and optics to provide a highly sensitive, label-free detection of biological activity and interactions. These sensors were first limited to nanomechanical oscillators like atomic force microscopy cantilevers, but now they are expanding into new, more intriguing setups. The idea is to convert the inherent nanoscale movements of living organisms—a direct manifestation of their metabolic activity—into measurable signals. This review highlights the evolution and diverse applications of nanomotion sensing. Key methodologies include Atomic Force Microscopy-based sensors, optical nanomotion detection, graphene drum sensors, and optical fiber-based sensors, each offering unique advantages in sensitivity, cost, and applicability. The analysis of complex nanomotion data is increasingly supported by advanced modeling and the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning, enhancing pattern recognition and automation. The versatility and real-time, label-free nature of nanomotion sensing position it as a transformative tool that could revolutionize diagnostics, therapeutics, and fundamental biological research. Full article
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