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Nanomaterial-Driven Innovations in Biosensing and Healthcare

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 4256

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
MEMS and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Advanced Medical Device Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease, School of Mechanical Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
Interests: nanomaterial-based sensors for biomedical applications; gas sensors for biomedical applications; microfabrication and functional materials for sensing applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The integration of smart nanomaterials in biomedical sensing has revolutionized healthcare diagnostics, enabling the highly sensitive, selective, and real-time monitoring of various biomarkers and physiological parameters. These nanomaterials, including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon-based nanostructures, 2D materials, and functionalized polymers, exhibit unique physicochemical properties such as high surface area-to-volume ratio, quantum confinement effects, and excellent charge transport capabilities, which significantly enhance sensor performance. Their tunable surface chemistry, biocompatibility, and ability to interact with biomolecules at the nanoscale have led to significant advancements in point-of-care diagnostics, wearable biosensors, and implantable devices for continuous health monitoring. Furthermore, the integration of nanomaterials with microfluidic platforms and artificial intelligence-based data analysis has enabled multiplexed detection and improved sensitivity in biomedical applications. This Special Issue aims at exploring recent developments in nanomaterial-based biosensors for detecting diseases, monitoring metabolic parameters, and facilitating early-stage diagnostics. We welcome contributions covering novel sensor architectures, functionalization strategies, signal transduction mechanisms, and real-world applications of nanomaterials in biosensing. Topics of interest include electrochemical, optical, and flexible biosensors, as well as advancements in miniaturized and wireless sensing platforms.

This Special Issue aligns with the scope of Sensors by addressing innovative sensing technologies that enhance healthcare, disease management, and personalized medicine.

Dr. Arunkumar Shanmugasundaram
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • smart nanomaterials
  • biosensors
  • biomedical sensing
  • point-of-care diagnostics
  • wearable sensors
  • electrochemical sensors

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 1216 KB  
Article
PSA-Responsive Aptamer-Based Switchable Aggregates of Ultrasmall Gold Nanoparticles
by Giulia Matteoli, Pasquale Mastella, Elisa Ottalagana, Riccardo Nifosì, Luca Bellucci, Fabio Beltram, Giovanni Signore and Stefano Luin
Sensors 2026, 26(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26010033 - 20 Dec 2025
Viewed by 275
Abstract
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a key biomarker for the early detection of prostate cancer recurrence following surgical treatment. In this study, we present a PSA-responsive, aptamer-based switchable aggregate system, named AS2-US-AuNP-Aggregate, composed of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles (US-AuNPs) linked by (partially) pairing oligomers that [...] Read more.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a key biomarker for the early detection of prostate cancer recurrence following surgical treatment. In this study, we present a PSA-responsive, aptamer-based switchable aggregate system, named AS2-US-AuNP-Aggregate, composed of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles (US-AuNPs) linked by (partially) pairing oligomers that selectively disassemble in the presence of PSA. The system was optimised also using a previously developed in silico routine and is designed for enhanced detection capabilities and for supporting in vivo applicability. We measured the sizes of the nanosystems by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and their extinction spectra, also in the presence of PSA in simple buffers, in the presence of DNaseI, and under blood-mimicking conditions (filtered plasma), obtaining a response down to 10 fM PSA in buffers and to 1 pM in filtered plasma. Our findings highlight the potential of aptamer-based nanoparticle aggregates as a basis for user-friendly diagnostic tools. Additionally, we discuss key optimisation strategies to further advance their development for in vivo diagnostic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterial-Driven Innovations in Biosensing and Healthcare)
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11 pages, 2063 KB  
Article
Nanoscale MoS2-in-Nanoporous Au Hybrid Structure for Enhancing Electrochemical Sensing
by Jihee Kim, Minju Kim, Yunju Choi, Jong-Seong Bae, Seunghun Lee, Robert A. Taylor, Andy Chong, Kwangseuk Kyhm and Mijeong Kang
Sensors 2025, 25(23), 7137; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25237137 - 22 Nov 2025
Viewed by 357
Abstract
We report the fabrication of nanoscale MoS2 (nMoS2) via laser ablation in liquid and its application in electrochemical sensing. The laser ablation process fragments microscale MoS2 sheets into ~5 nm dots with stable aqueous dispersibility. Electrochemical analysis reveals that [...] Read more.
We report the fabrication of nanoscale MoS2 (nMoS2) via laser ablation in liquid and its application in electrochemical sensing. The laser ablation process fragments microscale MoS2 sheets into ~5 nm dots with stable aqueous dispersibility. Electrochemical analysis reveals that nMoS2 possesses multiple reversible redox states, enabling it to participate in redox cycling reactions that can amplify electrochemical signals. When the nMoS2 is embedded in an electrochemically inert matrix, a chitosan layer, and subsequently incorporated within a nanostructured Au electrode, the nMoS2-participating redox cycling reactions are further enhanced by the nanoconfinement effect, leading to synergistic signal amplification. As a model system, this hybrid nMoS2-in-nanoporous Au electrode demonstrates a 9-fold increase in sensitivity for detecting pyocyanin, a biomarker of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, compared with a flat electrode without nMoS2 loading. This study not only elucidates the redox characteristics of laser-fabricated zero-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides but also presents a strategy to integrate semiconducting nanomaterials with metallic nanostructures for high-performance electrochemical sensing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterial-Driven Innovations in Biosensing and Healthcare)
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Review

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62 pages, 4690 KB  
Review
Functional Nanomaterials for Advanced Bioelectrode Interfaces: Recent Advances in Disease Detection and Metabolic Monitoring
by Junlong Ma, Siyi Yang, Zhihao Yang, Ziliang He and Zhanhong Du
Sensors 2025, 25(14), 4412; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25144412 - 15 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3318
Abstract
As critical interfaces bridging biological systems and electronic devices, the performance of bioelectrodes directly determines the sensitivity, selectivity, and reliability of biosensors. Recent advancements in functional nanomaterials (e.g., carbon nanomaterials, metallic nanoparticles, 2D materials) have substantially enhanced the application potential of bioelectrodes in [...] Read more.
As critical interfaces bridging biological systems and electronic devices, the performance of bioelectrodes directly determines the sensitivity, selectivity, and reliability of biosensors. Recent advancements in functional nanomaterials (e.g., carbon nanomaterials, metallic nanoparticles, 2D materials) have substantially enhanced the application potential of bioelectrodes in disease detection, metabolic monitoring, and early diagnosis through strategic material selection, structural engineering, interface modification, and antifouling treatment. This review systematically examines the latest progress in nanomaterial-enabled interface design of bioelectrodes, with particular emphasis on performance enhancements in electrophysiological/electrochemical signal acquisition and multimodal sensing technologies. We comprehensively analyze cutting-edge developments in dynamic metabolic parameter monitoring for chronic disease management, as well as emerging research on flexible, high-sensitivity electrode interfaces for early disease diagnosis. Furthermore, this work focused on persistent technical challenges regarding nanomaterial biocompatibility and long-term operational stability while providing forward-looking perspectives on their translational applications in wearable medical devices and personalized health management systems. The proposed framework offers actionable guidance for researchers in this interdisciplinary field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterial-Driven Innovations in Biosensing and Healthcare)
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