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Nucleic Acid-Based Biosensors for Molecular Diagnostics

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 892

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
Interests: biosensors; single-molecule detection; molecular diagnostics; quantum dot; cell imaging

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nucleic acid (DNA or RNA)-based biosensors leverage the high specificity of DNA/RNA hybridization, catalytic activity of nucleic acid−based enzymes (ribozymes and deoxyribozymes), and molecular recognition properties of aptamers to detect biomarkers with exceptional sensitivity and selectivity.

This Special Issue focuses on the cutting-edge advancements and applications of nucleic acid-based biosensors in molecular diagnostics. We welcome original research and reviews covering fundamental studies on probe design, novel transduction mechanisms, and translational applications in detecting infectious diseases, genetic disorders, cancer biomarkers, antimicrobial resistance, and other diseases.

Contributions highlighting real-world clinical validation, multiplexed detection, and low-cost solutions for resource-limited settings are particularly encouraged, aiming to bridge technological innovation with diagnostic needs.

Prof. Dr. Fei Ma
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • nucleic acid biosensors
  • molecular diagnostics
  • signal amplification
  • aptamer
  • DNAzyme
  • RNAzyme
  • DNA nanodevice
  • DNA nanotechnology

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 13741 KB  
Article
Visual Screening of Genetic Polymorphisms in eae Gene of Escherichia coli O157:H7 with Single-Nucleotide Resolution by ARMS-PCR-Mediated Lateral Flow Strip
by Noor Fatima, Liangliang Jiang, Siying Sun, Li Yao, Yubo Peng, Daoli Chen and Wei Chen
Sensors 2026, 26(3), 907; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26030907 - 30 Jan 2026
Viewed by 594
Abstract
Development of rapid, precise and fieldable detection methods for foodborne pathogens is one of the essential requirements in food safety and public health. In this research, the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the eae gene of Escherichia coli O157:H7 are well visually identified with [...] Read more.
Development of rapid, precise and fieldable detection methods for foodborne pathogens is one of the essential requirements in food safety and public health. In this research, the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the eae gene of Escherichia coli O157:H7 are well visually identified with the designed amplification refractory mutation system–polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) mediated lateral flow strip (LFS). Allele-specific primers were designed and optimized to discriminate the mutant-type genes from wild-type genes with single-nucleotide resolution in a simple visual format. The single-nucleotide variation in the eae gene could be easily differentiated by the observation of an optical signal on the T line of the LFS without any devices. Assay performance results show that it has a high sensitivity and specificity with the single-nucleotide differentiation ratio as low as 0.1%. This genetic polymorphisms screening performance could enumerate complex genetic variation into a simple and direct yes/no readout, highlighting the ultra-easy SNP screening mode and the simplicity of the result output for practical applications. This ARMS-PCR mediated LFS offers a straightforward, swift, and economical strategy for SNP identification with great potential for use in evolution of bacterial resistance genes and viral evolution under different environmental stresses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nucleic Acid-Based Biosensors for Molecular Diagnostics)
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