Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
9.8
5.6
Journals
Biosensors
Special Issues
Advanced Microfluidic Devices and MEMS in Biosensing Applications
share announcement

Advanced Microfluidic Devices and MEMS in Biosensing Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 7314

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhixian Zhu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacturing of Precision Medicine Equipment, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
Interests: microfluidics; cell sorting and detection; circulating tumor cells; biosensing instrumentation
Dr. Xinjie Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hohai University, Changzhou 213200, China
Interests: microfluidic cell separation; microvalve; micropump

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microfluidic devices and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) have revolutionized biosensing technologies, offering unprecedented precision, miniaturization, and automation for biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and point-of-care testing. This Special Issue explores the latest advancements in microfluidics and MEMS-based biosensors, highlighting innovative designs, fabrication techniques, and applications in detecting biomolecules, cells, and pathogens.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  • Novel Microfluidic Platforms: Lab-on-a-chip systems for high-throughput and low-cost biosensing; 
  • MEMS-Based Sensors: Integration of mechanical, optical, and electrochemical transducers for enhanced sensitivity;
  • Biomarker Detection: Applications in cancer diagnostics, infectious diseases, and personalized medicine;
  • Smart Materials: Use of nanomaterials, hydrogels, and responsive polymers in biosensor development; 
  • Wearable and Implantable Devices: MEMS and microfluidics for real-time health monitoring;
  • AI and Automation: Machine learning-driven data analysis and autonomous microfluidic systems. 

This Special Issue invites original research, reviews, and perspectives addressing challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field. Contributions from interdisciplinary researchers in engineering, biology, and clinical sciences are encouraged to foster collaboration and accelerate the translation of these technologies into practical solutions.  

Dr. Zhixian Zhu
Dr. Xinjie Zhang
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

  • microfluidics
  • MEMS
  • biosensors
  • lab-on-a-chip
  • point-of-care diagnostics
  • biomedical engineering

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 2970 KB  
Article
Cost-Effective and High-Throughput LPS Detection via Microdroplet Technology in Biopharmaceuticals
by Adriano Colombelli, Daniela Lospinoso, Valentina Arima, Vita Guarino, Alessandra Zizzari, Monica Bianco, Elisabetta Perrone, Luigi Carbone, Roberto Rella and Maria Grazia Manera
Biosensors 2025, 15(10), 649; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15100649 - 30 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1404
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria represent a significant challenge across various industries due to their prevalence and pathogenicity and the limitations of existing detection methods. Traditional approaches, such as the rabbit pyrogen test (RPT) and the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay, have served [...] Read more.
Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria represent a significant challenge across various industries due to their prevalence and pathogenicity and the limitations of existing detection methods. Traditional approaches, such as the rabbit pyrogen test (RPT) and the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay, have served as gold standards for endotoxin detection. However, these methods are constrained by high costs, lengthy processing times, environmental concerns, and the need for significant reagent volumes, which limit their scalability and application in resource-limited settings. In this study, we introduce an innovative microfluidic platform that integrates the LAL assay within microdroplets, addressing the critical limitations of traditional techniques. By leveraging the precise fluid control and reaction isolation offered by microdroplet technology, the system reduces reagent consumption, enhances sensitivity, and enables high-throughput analysis. Calibration tests were performed to validate the platform’s ability to detect LPS, using colorimetric measurements. Results demonstrated comparable or improved performance relative to traditional systems, achieving lower detection limits and greater accuracy. This work demonstrates a proof-of-concept miniaturisation of the pharmacopoeial LAL assay. The method yielded low intra-assay variability (σ ≈ 0.002 OD; CV ≈ 0.9% over n = 50 droplets per point) and a LOD estimated from calibration statistics after path-length normalisation. Broader adoption will require additional comparative validation and standardisation. This scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable approach offers a practical solution for endotoxin detection in clinical diagnostics, biopharmaceutical production, and environmental monitoring. The proposed technology paves the way for advanced LPS detection methods that meet stringent safety standards while improving efficiency, affordability, and adaptability for diverse applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Microfluidic Devices and MEMS in Biosensing Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1141 KB  
Article
Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of Lidocaine Hydrochloride via Dissolvable Microneedles (LH-DMNs) for Rapid Local Anesthesia
by Shengtai Bian, Jie Chen, Ran Chen, Shilun Feng and Zizhen Ming
Biosensors 2025, 15(8), 552; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15080552 - 21 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3302
Abstract
Microneedles represent an emerging transdermal drug delivery platform offering painless, minimally invasive penetration of the stratum corneum. This study addresses limitations of conventional lidocaine hydrochloride formulations, such as slow onset and poor patient compliance, by developing lidocaine hydrochloride-loaded dissolvable microneedles (LH-DMNs) for rapid [...] Read more.
Microneedles represent an emerging transdermal drug delivery platform offering painless, minimally invasive penetration of the stratum corneum. This study addresses limitations of conventional lidocaine hydrochloride formulations, such as slow onset and poor patient compliance, by developing lidocaine hydrochloride-loaded dissolvable microneedles (LH-DMNs) for rapid local anesthesia. LH-DMNs were fabricated via centrifugal casting using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the matrix material in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) negative molds, which imparts high mechanical strength to the microneedles. Biocompatibility assessments showed negligible skin irritation, resolving within 3 min. And drug-loading capacity reached 24.0 ± 2.84 mg per patch. Pharmacodynamic evaluation via mouse hot plate tests demonstrated significant analgesia, increasing paw withdrawal latency to 36.11 ± 1.62 s at 5 min post-application (p < 0.01). The results demonstrated that the LH-DMNs significantly elevated the pain threshold in mice within 5 min, surpassing the efficacy of conventional anesthetic gels and providing a rapid and effective solution for pain relief. These findings validate the system’s rapid drug release and efficacy, positioning dissolvable microneedles as a clinically viable alternative for enhanced transdermal anesthesia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Microfluidic Devices and MEMS in Biosensing Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

30 pages, 1576 KB  
Review
Microfluidic and MEMS-Based Biosensing Platforms for Fungal Respiratory Infections in Immunocompromised Patients: Toward Rapid, Specific, and Minimally Invasive Diagnosis
by Vasiliki E. Georgakopoulou and Vassiliki C. Pitiriga
Biosensors 2026, 16(5), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios16050281 - 12 May 2026
Viewed by 296
Abstract
Invasive fungal respiratory infections (IFRIs) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients, yet diagnosis continues to be hindered by nonspecific clinical features, limited sample accessibility, and the poor sensitivity or specificity of conventional tests. Microfluidic and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based [...] Read more.
Invasive fungal respiratory infections (IFRIs) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients, yet diagnosis continues to be hindered by nonspecific clinical features, limited sample accessibility, and the poor sensitivity or specificity of conventional tests. Microfluidic and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based biosensing platforms have emerged as promising alternatives, enabling rapid, minimally invasive, and highly specific detection of fungal pathogens and host responses. Microfluidic nucleic acid and antigen assays allow on-chip amplification and immunodetection with reduced sample volumes and turnaround times, while CRISPR-enhanced systems further improve analytical sensitivity. Parallel advances in host response profiling—including transcriptomic, proteomic, and cytokine-based signatures—have demonstrated feasibility for integration into lab-on-a-chip platforms. MEMS-based technologies extend this potential by facilitating real-time analysis of exhaled volatile organic compounds, mechanical biosensing of fungal DNA and antigens, and in situ monitoring of device-associated biofilms. Translational studies highlight potential applications across intensive care, hematology–oncology, and transplant settings, as well as in outpatient monitoring of high-risk populations. However, several challenges remain, including limited multicenter validation, matrix-related biofouling effects, and a lack of standardization in fungal biomarker panels. Future directions include AI-driven interpretation of multianalyte data, multiplexed integration of host and pathogen markers, and development of fully cartridge-based systems for near-patient deployment. Collectively, these innovations may shift fungal diagnostics toward earlier, more precise, and patient-tailored interventions, improving outcomes in vulnerable populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Microfluidic Devices and MEMS in Biosensing Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

37 pages, 6663 KB  
Review
Smart Biosensing Nanomaterials for Alzheimer’s Disease: Advances in Design and Drug Delivery Strategies to Overcome the Blood–Brain Barrier
by Manickam Rajkumar, Furong Tian, Bilal Javed, Bhupendra G. Prajapati, Paramasivam Deepak, Koyeli Girigoswami and Natchimuthu Karmegam
Biosensors 2026, 16(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios16010066 - 21 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1624
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by persistent memory impairment and complex molecular and cellular pathological changes in the brain. Current treatments, including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, only help with symptoms for a short time and do not stop the [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by persistent memory impairment and complex molecular and cellular pathological changes in the brain. Current treatments, including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, only help with symptoms for a short time and do not stop the disease from getting worse. This is mainly because these drugs do not reach the brain well and are quickly removed from the body. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) restricts the entry of most drugs into the central nervous system; therefore, new methods of drug delivery are needed. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (NTDDS) are widely studied as a potential approach to address existing therapeutic limitations. Smart biosensing nanoparticles composed of polymers, lipids, and metals can be engineered to enhance drug stability, improve drug availability, and target specific brain regions. These smart nanoparticles can cross the BBB via receptor-mediated transcytosis and other transport routes, making them a promising option for treating AD. Additionally, multifunctional nanocarriers enable controlled drug release and offer theranostic capabilities, supporting real-time tracking of AD treatment responses to facilitate more precise and personalized interventions. Despite these advantages, challenges related to long-term safety, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory approval remain. This review discusses current AD therapies, drug-delivery strategies, recent advances in nanoparticle platforms, and prospects for translating nanomedicine into effective, disease-modifying treatments for AD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Microfluidic Devices and MEMS in Biosensing Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop