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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 23280

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Alexander Star

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, 219 Parkman Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
Interests: nanosensors; carbon nanotubes and graphene; nanoparticles; nanotoxicology; drug delivery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Spyridon Kintzios

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Cell Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Interests: biosensors; biotechnology; cell culture; cell technology
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Prof. Dr. Patrick Wagner

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Guest Editor

Department of Physics and Astronomy, Soft-Matter Physics and Biophysics Section, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200 D, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
Interests: label-free biosensing techniques (e.g. impedance spectroscopy, microgravimetry and thermal detection methods); synthetic receptors such as molecularly- and surface-imprinted polymers; functional surfaces and interfaces; medical diagnostics and biomedical engineering; environmental monitoring and food-safety analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the success of previous years where we compiled a collection of outstanding papers from our Editorial Board Members (EBMs) and renowned scholars, we invite you to contribute to this year’s Special Issue. This Special Issue focuses on exceptional contributions in biosensing technologies. We invite high-quality papers authored by our EBMs or recommended by our EBMs that explore the latest trends in biosensors research. The aim is to assemble a set of papers that exemplify the most exceptional, insightful, and original research articles or reviews. We encourage our EBMs to share their expertise and perspectives on key topics in the biosensors field.

Potential topics include (but are not limited to):

Biosensors;
Lab-on-a-chip technology;
Optical biosensors;
Plasmonic biosensors;
Biosensors for cell analysis;
Electrochemical biosensors;
Enzymatic biosensors;
Graphene-based biosensors;
Carbon nanotube biosensors;
Aptamer biosensors.

Following the deadline, the accepted papers will be collated into a printed edition book and will be actively promoted to ensure wide readership and influence within the biosensors field.

Thank you for your valuable contributions to advancing biosensors research.

Prof. Dr. Alexander Star
Prof. Dr. Spyridon Kintzios
Prof. Dr. Patrick H. Wagner
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Sensors is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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
lab-on-a-chip technology
optical biosensors
plasmonic biosensors
biosensors for cell analysis
electrochemical biosensors
enzymatic biosensors
graphene-based biosensors
carbon nanotube biosensors
aptamer biosensors

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

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1316 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monte Carlo Simulation of the Effect of Melanin Concentration on Light–Tissue Interactions in Reflectance Pulse Oximetry

by Raghda Al-Halawani, Meha Qassem and Panicos A. Kyriacou

Sensors 2025, 25(2), 559; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25020559 - 19 Jan 2025

Viewed by 879

Abstract

Over the past ten years, there has been an increasing demand for reliable consumer wearables as users are inclined to monitor their health and fitness metrics in real-time, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflectance pulse oximeters in fitness trackers and smartwatches provide convenient, non-invasive SpO₂ measurements but face challenges in achieving medical-grade accuracy, particularly due to difficulties in capturing physiological signals, which may be affected by skin pigmentation. Hence, this study sets out to investigate the influence of skin pigmentation, particularly in individuals with darker skin, on the accuracy and reliability of SpO₂ measurement in consumer wearables that utilise reflectance pulse oximeters. A Monte Carlo model is developed to assess the effect on simulated reflectance pulse oximetry measurements across light, moderate, and dark skin types for oxygen saturation levels between 70 and 100%. The results indicate that a one-algorithm-fits-all calibration approach may be insufficient, and root mean square errors (RMSEs) of at least 0.3956%, 0.9132%, and 8.4111% for light, moderate, and dark skin are observed when compared to transmittance calibration algorithms. Further research is required to validate these findings and improve the performance of reflectance pulse oximeters in real-world applications, particularly in the context of consumer wearables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biosensors Section 2024)

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14 pages, 3531 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gold Nanoparticles-Based Colorimetric Immunoassay of Carcinoembryonic Antigen with Metal–Organic Framework to Load Quinones for Catalytic Oxidation of Cysteine

by Zhao-Jiang Yu, Ting-Ting Yang, Gang Liu, De-Hua Deng and Lin Liu

Sensors 2024, 24(20), 6701; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24206701 - 18 Oct 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1156

Abstract

This work reported gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-based colorimetric immunoassay with the Cu-based metal–organic framework (MOF) to load pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) for the catalytic oxidation of cysteine. In this method, both Cu²⁺ and PQQ in the MOF could promote the oxidation of inducer cysteine by redox cycling, thus limiting the cysteine-induced aggregation of AuNPs and achieving dual signal amplification. Specifically, the recombinant carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) targets were anchored on the MOF through the metal coordination interactions between the hexahistidine (His₆) tag in CEA and the unsaturated Cu²⁺ sites in MOF. The CEA/PQQ-loaded MOF could be captured by the antibody-coated ELISA plate to catalyze the oxidation of cysteine. However, once the target CEA in the samples bound to the antibody immobilized on the plate surface, the attachment of CEA/PQQ-loaded MOF would be limited. Cysteine remaining in the solution would trigger the aggregation of AuNPs and cause a color change from red to blue. The target concentration was positively related to the aggregation and color change of AuNPs. The signal-on competitive plasmonic immunoassay exhibited a low detection limit with a linear range of 0.01–1 ng/mL. Note that most of the proteins in commercial ELISA kits are recombinant with a His₆ tag in the N- or C-terminal, so the work could provide a sensitive plasmonic platform for the detection of biomarkers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biosensors Section 2024)

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15 pages, 4059 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Microbial Cocaine Bioreporter

by Anne-Kathrin Grimm, Dor Rozanes, Etai Shpigel, Liat Moscovici and Shimshon Belkin

Sensors 2024, 24(20), 6549; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24206549 - 11 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1073

Abstract

The continuous emergence of new illegal compounds, particularly psychoactive chemicals, poses significant challenges for current drug detection methods. Developing new protocols and kits for each new drug requires substantial time, effort, and dedicated manpower. Whole-cell bacterial bioreporters have been proven capable of detecting diverse hazardous compounds in both laboratory and field settings, identifying not only single compounds but also chemical families. We present the development of a microbial bioreporter for the detection of cocaine, the nervous system stimulant that is the second-most widely used illegal drug in the US. Escherichia coli was transformed with a plasmid containing a bacterial luxCDABEG bioluminescence gene cassette, activated by a cocaine-responsive signaling cascade. The engineered bioreporter is demonstrated to be a sensitive and specific first-generation detection system for cocaine, with detection thresholds of 17 ± 8 μg/L and 130 ± 50 μg/L in a buffer solution and in urine, respectively. Further improvement of the sensor’s performance was achieved by altering the nucleotide sequence of the PBen gene promoter, the construct’s sensing element, using accelerated site-directed evolution. The applicability of ready-to-use paper strips with immobilized bioreporter cells was demonstrated for cocaine detection in aqueous solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biosensors Section 2024)

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11 pages, 3831 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Custom-Developed Device for Testing Tensile Strength and Elasticity of Vascular and Intestinal Tissue Samples for Anastomosis Regeneration Research

by Zoltan Attila Godo, Laszlo Adam Fazekas, Gergo Fritsch, Balazs Szabo and Norbert Nemeth

Sensors 2024, 24(18), 5984; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24185984 - 15 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1327

Abstract

Optimizing the regeneration process of surgically created anastomoses (blood vessels, intestines, nerves) is an important topic in surgical research. One of the most interesting parameter groups is related to the biomechanical properties of the anastomoses. Depending on the regeneration process and its influencing factors, tensile strength and other biomechanical features may change during the healing process. Related to the optimal specimen size, the range and accuracy of measurements, and applicability, we have developed a custom-tailored microcontroller-based device. In this paper, we describe the hardware and software configuration of the latest version of the device, including experiences and comparative measurements of tensile strength and elasticity of artificial materials and biopreparate tissue samples. The machine we developed was made up of easily obtainable parts and can be easily reproduced on a low budget. The basic device can apply a force of up to 40 newtons, and can grasp a 0.05–1 cm wide, 0.05–1 cm thick tissue. The length of the test piece on the rail should be between 0.3 and 5 cm. Low production cost, ease of use, and detailed data recording make it a useful tool for experimental surgical research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biosensors Section 2024)

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12 pages, 5829 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Sensitivity Janus Sensor Enabled by Multilayered Metastructure Based on the Photonic Spin Hall Effect and Its Potential Applications in Bio-Sensing

by Xiang Li and Haifeng Zhang

Sensors 2024, 24(17), 5796; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24175796 - 6 Sep 2024

Viewed by 886

Abstract

The refractive index (RI) of biological tissues is a fundamental material parameter that characterizes how light interacts with tissues, making accurate measurement of RI crucial for biomedical diagnostics and environmental monitoring. A Janus sensor (JBS) is designed in this paper, and the photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE) is used to detect subtle changes in RI in biological tissues. The asymmetric arrangement of the dielectric layers breaks spatial parity symmetry, resulting in significantly different PSHE displacements during the forward and backward propagation of electromagnetic waves, thereby realizing the Janus effect. The designed JBS can detect the RI range of 1.3~1.55 RIU when electromagnetic waves are incident along the +z-axis, with a sensitivity of 96.29°/refractive index unit (RIU). In the reverse direction, blood glucose concentrations are identified by the JBS, achieving a sensitivity of 18.30°/RIU. Detecting different RI range from forward and backward scales not only overcomes the limitation that single-scale sensors can only detect a single RI range, but also provides new insights and applications for optical biological detection through high-sensitivity, label-free and non-contact detection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biosensors Section 2024)

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13 pages, 5707 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Photonic Dipstick Immunosensor to Detect Adulteration of Ewe, Goat, and Donkey Milk with Cow Milk through Bovine κ-Casein Detection

by Dimitra Kourti, Michailia Angelopoulou, Eleni Makarona, Anastasios Economou, Panagiota Petrou, Konstantinos Misiakos and Sotirios Kakabakos

Sensors 2024, 24(17), 5688; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24175688 - 31 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1233

Abstract

The quality and authenticity of milk are of paramount importance. Cow milk is more allergenic and less nutritious than ewe, goat, or donkey milk, which are often adulterated with cow milk due to their seasonal availability and higher prices. In this work, a silicon photonic dipstick sensor accommodating two U-shaped Mach–Zehnder Interferometers (MZIs) was employed for the label-free detection of the adulteration of ewe, goat, and donkey milk with cow milk. One of the two MZIs of the chip was modified with bovine κ-casein, while the other was modified with bovine serum albumin to serve as a blank. All assay steps were performed by immersion of the chip side where the MZIs are positioned into the reagent solutions, leading to a photonic dipstick immunosensor. Thus, the chip was first immersed in a mixture of milk with anti-bovine κ-casein antibody and then in a secondary antibody solution for signal enhancement. A limit of detection of 0.05% v/v cow milk in ewe, goat, or donkey milk was achieved in 12 min using a 50-times diluted sample. This fast, sensitive, and simple assay, without the need for sample pre-processing, microfluidics, or pumps, makes the developed sensor ideal for the detection of milk adulteration at the point of need. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biosensors Section 2024)

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20 pages, 6459 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Porcine Model of Cerebral Ischemic Stroke Utilizing Intracortical Recordings for the Continuous Monitoring of the Ischemic Area

by Thomas Gomes Nørgaard dos Santos Nielsen, Numa Dancause, Taha Al Muhammadee Janjua, Felipe Rettore Andreis, Benedict Kjærgaard and Winnie Jensen

Sensors 2024, 24(10), 2967; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24102967 - 7 May 2024

Viewed by 1548

Abstract

Purpose: Our aim was to use intracortical recording to enable the tracking of ischemic infarct development over the first few critical hours of ischemia with a high time resolution in pigs. We employed electrophysiological measurements to obtain quick feedback on neural function, which might be useful for screening, e.g., for the optimal dosage and timing of agents prior to further pre-clinical evaluation. Methods: Micro-electrode arrays containing 16 (animal 1) or 32 electrodes (animal 2–7) were implanted in the primary somatosensory cortex of seven female pigs, and continuous electrical stimulation was applied at 0.2 Hz to a cuff electrode implanted on the ulnar nerve. Ischemic stroke was induced after 30 min of baseline recording by injection of endothelin-1 onto the cortex adjacent to the micro-electrode array. Evoked responses were extracted over a moving window of 180 s and averaged across channels as a measure of cortical excitability. Results: Across the animals, the cortical excitability was significantly reduced in all seven 30 min segments following endothelin-1 injection, as compared to the 30 min preceding this intervention. This difference was not explained by changes in the anesthesia, ventilation, end-tidal CO₂, mean blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygenation, or core temperature, which all remained stable throughout the experiment. Conclusions: The animal model may assist in maturing neuroprotective approaches by testing them in an accessible model of resemblance to human neural and cardiovascular physiology and body size. This would constitute an intermediate step for translating positive results from rodent studies into human application, by more efficiently enabling effective optimization prior to chronic pre-clinical studies in large animals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biosensors Section 2024)

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17 pages, 978 KiB

Open AccessReview

TRPV4—A Multifunctional Cellular Sensor Protein with Therapeutic Potential

by Sanna Koskimäki and Sari Tojkander

Sensors 2024, 24(21), 6923; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24216923 - 29 Oct 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2083

Abstract

Transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channel proteins belong to the superfamily of TRP proteins that form cationic channels in the animal cell membranes. These proteins have various subtype-specific functions, serving, for example, as sensors for pain, pressure, pH, and mechanical extracellular stimuli. The sensing of extracellular cues by TRPV4 triggers Ca²⁺-influx through the channel, subsequently coordinating numerous intracellular signaling cascades in a spatio-temporal manner. As TRPV channels play such a wide role in various cellular and physiological functions, loss or impaired TRPV protein activity naturally contributes to many pathophysiological processes. This review concentrates on the known functions of TRPV4 sensor proteins and their potential as a therapeutic target. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biosensors Section 2024)

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31 pages, 3081 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in Portable Optical Microscopy Using Cloud Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for Medical Applications

by Alessandro Molani, Francesca Pennati, Samuele Ravazzani, Andrea Scarpellini, Federica Maria Storti, Gabriele Vegetali, Chiara Paganelli and Andrea Aliverti

Sensors 2024, 24(20), 6682; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24206682 - 17 Oct 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5492

Abstract

The need for faster and more accessible alternatives to laboratory microscopy is driving many innovations throughout the image and data acquisition chain in the biomedical field. Benchtop microscopes are bulky, lack communications capabilities, and require trained personnel for analysis. New technologies, such as compact 3D-printed devices integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) for data sharing and cloud computing, as well as automated image processing using deep learning algorithms, can address these limitations and enhance the conventional imaging workflow. This review reports on recent advancements in microscope miniaturization, with a focus on emerging technologies such as photoacoustic microscopy and more established approaches like smartphone-based microscopy. The potential applications of IoT in microscopy are examined in detail. Furthermore, this review discusses the evolution of image processing in microscopy, transitioning from traditional to deep learning methods that facilitate image enhancement and data interpretation. Despite numerous advancements in the field, there is a noticeable lack of studies that holistically address the entire microscopy acquisition chain. This review aims to highlight the potential of IoT and artificial intelligence (AI) in combination with portable microscopy, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to the microscopy acquisition chain, from portability to image analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biosensors Section 2024)

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42 pages, 13930 KiB

Open AccessReview

Overview of the Design and Application of Photothermal Immunoassays

by Fengli Gao, Yike Wu, Cui Gan, Yupeng Hou, Dehua Deng and Xinyao Yi

Sensors 2024, 24(19), 6458; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24196458 - 6 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2235

Abstract

Developing powerful immunoassays for sensitive and real-time detection of targets has always been a challenging task. Due to their advantages of direct readout, controllable sensing, and low background interference, photothermal immunoassays have become a type of new technology that can be used for various applications such as disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and food safety. By modification with antibodies, photothermal materials can induce temperature changes by converting light energy into heat, thereby reporting specific target recognition events. This article reviews the design and application of photothermal immunoassays based on different photothermal materials, including noble metal nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials, two-dimensional nanomaterials, metal oxide and sulfide nanomaterials, Prussian blue nanoparticles, small organic molecules, polymers, etc. It pays special attention to the role of photothermal materials and the working principle of various immunoassays. Additionally, the challenges and prospects for future development of photothermal immunoassays are briefly discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biosensors Section 2024)

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28 pages, 3622 KiB

Open AccessReview

From Biosensors to Robotics: Pioneering Advances in Breast Cancer Management

by Mohd. Rahil Hasan, Mohd Mughees, Shifa Shaikh, Furqan Choudhary, Anam Nizam, Amber Rizwan, Onaiza Ansari, Yusra Iqbal, Roberto Pilloton, Saima Wajid and Jagriti Narang

Sensors 2024, 24(18), 6149; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24186149 - 23 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2615

Abstract

Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent form of cancer amongst females, constituting more than one-third of all cancer cases affecting women. It causes aberrant cell development, which can assault or spread to other sections of the body, perhaps leading to the patient’s death. Based on research findings, timely detection can diminish the likelihood of mortality and enhance the quality of healthcare provided for the illness. However, current technologies can only identify cancer at an advanced stage. Consequently, there is a substantial demand for rapid and productive approaches to detecting breast cancer. Researchers are actively pursuing precise and timely methods for the diagnosis of breast cancer, aiming to achieve enhanced accuracy and early detection. Biosensor technology can allow for the speedy and accurate diagnosis of cancer-related cells, as well as a more sensitive and specialized technique for generating them. Additionally, numerous treatments for breast cancer are depicted such as herbal therapy, nanomaterial-based drug delivery, miRNA targeting, CRISPR technology, immunotherapy, and precision medicine. Early detection and efficient therapy are necessary to manage such a severe illness properly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biosensors Section 2024)

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Other

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14 pages, 1526 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

New Challenges in Bladder Cancer Diagnosis: How Biosensing Tools Can Lead to Population Screening Opportunities

by Fabiana Tortora, Antonella Guastaferro, Simona Barbato, Ferdinando Febbraio and Amelia Cimmino

Sensors 2024, 24(24), 7873; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24247873 - 10 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1384

Abstract

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Despite its high incidence, cystoscopy remains the currently used diagnostic gold standard, although it is invasive, expensive and has low sensitivity. As a result, the cancer diagnosis is mostly late, as it occurs following the presence of hematuria in urine, and population screening is not allowed. It would therefore be desirable to be able to act promptly in the early stage of the disease with the aid of biosensing. The use of devices/tools based on genetic assessments would be of great help in this field. However, the genetic differences between populations do not allow accurate analysis in the context of population screening. Current research is directed towards the discovery of universal biomarkers present in urine with the aim of providing an approach based on a non-invasive, easy-to-perform, rapid, and accurate test that can be widely used in clinical practice for the early diagnosis and follow-up of bladder cancer. An efficient biosensing device may have a disruptive impact in terms of patient health and disease management, contributing to a decrease in mortality rate, as well as easing the social and economic burden on the national healthcare system. Considering the advantage of accessing population screening for early diagnosis of cancer, the main challenges and future perspectives are critically discussed to address the research towards the selection of suitable biomarkers for the development of a very sensitive biosensor for bladder cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biosensors Section 2024)

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