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Micromachines
Special Issues
Biosensors for Biomedical, Agricultural and Environmental Applications
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Biosensors for Biomedical, Agricultural and Environmental Applications

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "B1: Biosensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 7849

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Hamdi Ben Halima

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institut UTINAM, Université de Franche-Comté, CNRS, F-25000 Besançon, France
Interests: biosensors; immunosensors; electrochemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are glad to announce a Special Issue of Micromachines focusing on "Biosensors for Biomedical, Agricultural and Environmental Applications".

Biosensors are powerful tools for detecting biomarkers, pollutants, xenobiotics, pesticides and contaminants, and their evolution can significantly improve environmental health monitoring and medical diagnostic processes.

Biosensors can be categorized depending on their sensing element, the relevant support, the transduction mechanism or their intended application. Great scientific effort has been devoted to improving and optimizing all of these aspects, aiming to enhance the selectivity and sensitivity of existing sensors while exploring routes to develop novel devices. Contributions stemming from chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, computation and medicine intertwine and complement one another, propelling research in this multidisciplinary, vibrant and dynamic field.

This Special Issue aims to provide an overview of recent advances in the design and production of novel biosensors, with a special focus on novel sensing elements, immobilization techniques, detection strategies and miniaturization. Particular emphasis is placed on aspects related to the micro- and nano-conception of these devices.

Dr. Hamdi Ben Halima
Guest Editor

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. Micromachines 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 2100 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

  • biosensors
  • environmental sensors
  • biomedical sensors
  • food sensors
  • quality control
  • nanosystems
  • nanomaterials
  • immobilization technologies
  • aptamer-based biosensors
  • enzyme-based biosensors
  • cell-based biosensors
  • DNA-based biosensors
  • immunosensors
  • Lab on a chip (LOC)
  • miniaturization
  • microstructured sensors
  • nanostructured sensors
  • biomarker detection
  • pollutant detection
  • contaminant detection
  • xenobiotic detection

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 2087 KB  
Article
The Influence of Polyethyleneimine’s Molecular Weight on the Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties of Chitosan–Polyethyleneimine Carbon Dots and In Vitro Performances
by Sahin Demirci, Mehtap Sahiner, Selin S. Suner and Nurettin Sahiner
Micromachines 2026, 17(4), 501; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17040501 - 20 Apr 2026
Viewed by 540
Abstract
This study reports the effect of polyethyleneimine’s molecular weight (PEI, Mn: 1200, 10,000, and 60,000 g/mol, denoted as PEI1.2, PEI10, and PEI60) on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of carbon dots (Cdots) derived from chitosan (Chi) [...] Read more.
This study reports the effect of polyethyleneimine’s molecular weight (PEI, Mn: 1200, 10,000, and 60,000 g/mol, denoted as PEI1.2, PEI10, and PEI60) on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of carbon dots (Cdots) derived from chitosan (Chi) and PEI (Chi-PEI Cdots). The size of Chi Cdots was 41.5 ± 6.1 nm, which increased to 50.9 ± 5.9, 71.4 ± 4.2, and 93.3 ± 7.4 nm with the preparation of Chi-PEI1.2, Chi-PEI10 and Chi-PEI60 Cdots. The fluorescence properties and quantum yield% values of the Cdots prepared from Chi, PEI1.2, PEI10, and PEI60 and their corresponding biopolymeric Chi-PEI Cdots were compared. A higher quantum yield of 26 ± 1.6% was observed for Chi-PEI1.2. This decreased with the increasing molecular weight of PEI and was calculated to be 15 ± 1.9% for Chi-PEI60. All the prepared bare Chi, bare PEI and corresponding bipolymeric Chi-PEI Cdots were observed to be nonhemolytic up to a 1 mg/mL concentration. Lower cytotoxic properties were observed for Chi-PEI Cdots on L929 fibroblast cells compared to their corresponding bare forms. Higher cell viability was observed for Chi-PEI1.2 Cdots with 95% viability in the presence of a 1000 µg/mL concentration. The antibacterial activity of the prepared Cdots against pathogens such as E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus, B. subtilis, and C. albicans was investigated and compared. Lower MIC and MBC values were determined for Chi-PEI10 against C. albicans with values of 12.5 and 50 mg/mL, respectively. Although the antibacterial properties of Chi-PEI Cdots were less strong than those of bare Cdots derived from individual Chi and PEI molecules, their light-induced antibacterial activities were found to be better. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Biomedical, Agricultural and Environmental Applications)
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16 pages, 1823 KB  
Article
Isolation of Exosomes from MDA-MB-231 Cells Using a Paddle Screw System and Detection of TNBC-Associated Exosomal miRNAs
by Han Sol Kim and Soo Suk Lee
Micromachines 2026, 17(3), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17030362 - 16 Mar 2026
Viewed by 577
Abstract
Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles that carry disease-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) and represent promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks well-defined molecular markers, necessitating sensitive and integrable analytical approaches for TNBC-related exosomal miRNAs. In this study, exosomes were isolated from MDA-MB-231 [...] Read more.
Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles that carry disease-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) and represent promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks well-defined molecular markers, necessitating sensitive and integrable analytical approaches for TNBC-related exosomal miRNAs. In this study, exosomes were isolated from MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells using a paddle screw-based system designed to enhance mass transfer through active rotation, providing a mechanically driven isolation strategy that is compatible with miniaturized and microfluidic platforms. This dynamic isolation process enabled rapid and efficient exosome recovery within a short processing time. Three TNBC-associated miRNAs encapsulated in the isolated exosomes were quantitatively analyzed using polyadenylation tailing (poly(A) tailing) and specific bidirectional extension sequence-based assays combined with reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The bidirectional extension (BDE) assay generated highly specific PCR templates, leading to improved amplification specificity and reduced background signals. The RT-qPCR analysis exhibited high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, and good reproducibility for all target miRNAs. Overall, these results demonstrate that the integration of a paddle screw-based exosome isolation module with an extension-based nucleic acid detection strategy provides a scalable and biosensor-compatible analytical framework for profiling TNBC-associated exosomal miRNAs, with potential applications in microfluidic liquid biopsy platforms and exosome-based cancer diagnostics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Biomedical, Agricultural and Environmental Applications)
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19 pages, 5988 KB  
Article
Design of Hydrogel Microneedle Arrays for Physiology Monitoring of Farm Animals
by Laurabelle Gautier, Sandra Wiart-Letort, Alexandra Massé, Caroline Xavier, Lorraine Novais-Gameiro, Antoine Hoang, Marie Escudé, Ilaria Sorrentino, Muriel Bonnet, Florence Gondret, Claire Verplanck and Isabelle Texier
Micromachines 2025, 16(9), 1015; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16091015 - 31 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1868
Abstract
For monitoring animal adaptation when facing environmental challenges, and more specifically when addressing the impacts of global warming—particularly responses to heat stress and short-term fluctuations in osmotic regulations in the different organs influencing animal physiology—there is an increasing demand for digital tools to [...] Read more.
For monitoring animal adaptation when facing environmental challenges, and more specifically when addressing the impacts of global warming—particularly responses to heat stress and short-term fluctuations in osmotic regulations in the different organs influencing animal physiology—there is an increasing demand for digital tools to understand and monitor a range of biomarkers. Microneedle arrays (MNAs) have recently emerged as promising devices minimally invasively penetrating human skin to access dermal interstitial fluid (ISF) to monitor deviations in physiology and consequences on health. The ISF is a blood filtrate where the concentrations of ions, low molecular weight metabolites (<70 kDa), hormones, and drugs, often closely correlate with those in blood. However, anatomical skin differences between human and farm animals, especially large animals, as well as divergent tolerances of such devices among species with behavior specificities, motivate new MNA designs. We addressed technological challenges to design higher microneedles for farm animal (pigs and cattle) measurements. We designed microneedle arrays composed of 37 microneedles, each 2.8 mm in height, using dextran-methacrylate, a photo-crosslinked biocompatible biopolymer-based hydrogel. The arrays were characterized geometrically and mechanically. Their abilities to perforate pig and cow skin were demonstrated through histological analysis. The MNAs successfully absorbed approximately 10 µL of fluid within 3 h of application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Biomedical, Agricultural and Environmental Applications)
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13 pages, 6629 KB  
Article
A Disposable Dopamine Sensor Based on Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibril-Modified SPCE
by Feriel Boussema, Sondes Bourigua, Zayneb Jebali, Hatem Majdoub, Nicole Jaffrezic-Renault and Hamdi Ben Halima
Micromachines 2025, 16(7), 743; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16070743 - 25 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1286
Abstract
Dopamine is a major catecholamine neurotransmitter that plays an essential role in the functioning of the human central nervous system. Imbalances in dopamine levels are associated with neurological disorders and depression. Thus, measuring the concentration of DA in human body fluids is significantly [...] Read more.
Dopamine is a major catecholamine neurotransmitter that plays an essential role in the functioning of the human central nervous system. Imbalances in dopamine levels are associated with neurological disorders and depression. Thus, measuring the concentration of DA in human body fluids is significantly important. In this work, TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNFs) extracted from marram grass (Ammophilia arenaria), harvested in the central western part of Tunisia, were utilized to modify disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) for the sensitive detection of dopamine in biological fluids. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurements displayed a sensitivity of 7.92 µA/µM and a detection limit of 10 nM. The disposable TOCNF-modified SPCE presents a charge transfer coefficient, α, comparable to that of a TOCNF/graphene/AgNP composite-modified GCE. Moreover, it exhibits good repeatability (RSD = 1.9%), good reproducibility (RSD = 2.3%), and appreciable storage stability (91% of its initial response after 3 weeks). The prepared disposable sensor showed satisfactory recovery of dopamine in human urine samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Biomedical, Agricultural and Environmental Applications)
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16 pages, 4491 KB  
Article
An Electrochemical Immunosensor for Sensitive Detection of Exosomes Based on Au/MXenes and AuPtPdCu
by Jie Gao, Rong Yang, Xiaorui Zhu, Jiling Shi, Sufei Wang and Aihua Jing
Micromachines 2025, 16(3), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16030280 - 27 Feb 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2884
Abstract
Exosomes are important biomarkers for liquid biopsy in early cancer screening which play important roles in many biological processes, including apoptosis, inflammatory response, and tumor metastasis. In this study, an electrochemical aptamer immunosensor based on Au/MXene and AuPtPdCu was constructed for the sensitive [...] Read more.
Exosomes are important biomarkers for liquid biopsy in early cancer screening which play important roles in many biological processes, including apoptosis, inflammatory response, and tumor metastasis. In this study, an electrochemical aptamer immunosensor based on Au/MXene and AuPtPdCu was constructed for the sensitive detection of colorectal cancer-derived exosomes. AuNPs were deposited in situ on the surface of MXenes as a sensing platform due to their large specific area, excellent conductivity, and higher number of active sites for aptamer immobilization. The aptamer CD63 immobilized on Au/MXene can specifically capture target exosomes. Therefore, the AuPtPdCu-Apt nanoprobe further enhanced the sensitivity and accuracy of the immunosensor. A low limit of detection of 19 particles μL−1 was achieved in the linear range of 50 to 5 × 104 particles μL−1 under optimal conditions. The immunosensor developed herein showed satisfactory electrochemical stability and anti-interference ability for the detection of exosomes in real serum samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Biomedical, Agricultural and Environmental Applications)
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