Nano Biosensors and Their Applications for In Vivo/Vitro Diagnosis—2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2025 | Viewed by 4354

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Research Center for Biosensor and Nanotheranostic, School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Interests: chemical and biological sensors; optical sensors; metal nanomaterials; catalysis; plasmonics; microfluidics; disease diagnosis; environmental monitoring
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

After the success of the first Volume of the Special Issue entitled “Nano Biosensors and Their Applications for In Vivo/Vitro Diagnosis”, the Journal’s Editorial Board, in collaboration with the Guest Editor, Dr. Zhuangqiang Gao, is launching Volume II under the same title. This Special Issue continues to explore the exciting developments and applications of nano biosensors in in vivo/vitro diagnosis and any other area of biological interest.

Over the past two years, there has been a notable trend toward the integration of novel nanostructures with innovative sensing principles to enhance the analytical performance of biosensors. Researchers have focused on designing and fabricating advanced nanostructures with unique properties, such as electrical, magnetic, optical, and plasmonic activities, to enable the highly sensitive and selective detection of biomarkers.

Volume II encompasses a diverse range of topics, including the synthesis and characterization of novel nanostructures, the development of innovative biosensors with high analytical performance, the exploration of new sensing principles, the identification of promising diagnostic biomarkers, and the emerging applications of nano biosensors in both in vivo and in vitro diagnosis. Through the contributions of researchers in the field, this volume aims to advance our understanding of nano biosensors and their potential impact on healthcare and disease diagnosis.

Dr. Zhuangqiang Gao
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 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. 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 2700 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

  • nanostructures
  • nanomaterials
  • nanodevices
  • biosensors
  • biomarkers
  • in vivo/vitro diagnosis

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.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 7613 KiB  
Article
Electrochemical Analysis of Amyloid Plaques and ApoE4 with Chitosan-Coated Gold Nanostars for Alzheimer’s Detection
by Min-Kyung Shin, Ariadna Schuck, Minhee Kang and Yong-Sang Kim
Biosensors 2024, 14(10), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14100510 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 247
Abstract
Monitoring the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is crucial for mitigating dementia symptoms, alleviating pain, and improving mobility. Traditionally, AD biomarkers like amyloid plaques are predominantly identified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) due to their concentrated presence. However, detecting these markers in blood is [...] Read more.
Monitoring the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is crucial for mitigating dementia symptoms, alleviating pain, and improving mobility. Traditionally, AD biomarkers like amyloid plaques are predominantly identified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) due to their concentrated presence. However, detecting these markers in blood is hindered by the blood–brain barrier (BBB), resulting in lower concentrations. To address this challenge and identify pertinent AD biomarkers—specifically amyloid plaques and apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4)—in blood plasma, we propose an innovative approach. This involves enhancing a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) with an immobilization matrix comprising gold nanostars (AuNSs) coated with chitosan. Morphological and electrical analyses confirmed superior dispersion and conductivity with 0.5% chitosan, supported by UV–Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and Nyquist plots. Subsequent clinical assays measured electrical responses to quantify amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) (15.63–1000 pg/mL) and APoE4 levels (0.41 to 40 ng/mL) in human blood plasma samples. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) responses exhibited peak currents proportional to biomarker concentrations, demonstrating high linear correlations (0.985 for Aβ42 and 0.919 for APoE4) with minimal error bars. Cross-reactivity tests with mixed solutions of amyloid-β 40 (Aβ40), Aβ42, and ApoE4 indicated minimal interference between biomarkers (<3% variation), further confirming the high specificity of the developed sensor. Validation studies demonstrated a strong concurrence with the gold-standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while interference tests indicated a minimal variation in peak currents. This improved device presents promising potential as a point-of-care system, offering a less invasive, cost-effective, and simplified approach to detecting and tracking the progression of AD. The substantial surface binding area further supports the efficacy of our method, offering a promising avenue for advancing AD diagnostics. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 5333 KiB  
Article
Fluorescence Immunoassay of Prostate-Specific Antigen Using 3D Paddle Screw-Type Devices and Their Rotating System
by Su Bin Han, Han Sol Kim, Young Ju Jo and Soo Suk Lee
Biosensors 2024, 14(10), 494; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14100494 - 11 Oct 2024
Viewed by 380
Abstract
In this paper, we present a sensitive and highly reproducible fluorescence immunosensor for detecting PSA in human serum. A unique feature of this study is that it uses creatively designed paddle screw-type devices and their custom-made rotating system for PSA immunoassay. The paddle [...] Read more.
In this paper, we present a sensitive and highly reproducible fluorescence immunosensor for detecting PSA in human serum. A unique feature of this study is that it uses creatively designed paddle screw-type devices and their custom-made rotating system for PSA immunoassay. The paddle screw devices were designed to maximize the surface-to-volume ratio over which the immunoassay reaction could occur to improve detection sensitivity. This paddle screw-based immunoassay offers an accessible and efficient method with a short analysis time of less than 30 min. Active rotation of the paddle screw plays a crucial role in fast and accurate analysis of PSA. Additionally, a paddle screw-based immunoassay and subsequent fluorescence detection using a custom prototype fluorescence detection system were compared to a typical well plate-based immunoassay system. Results of PSA detection in human serum showed that the detection sensitivity through the paddle screw-based analysis improved about five times compared to that with a well plate-based analysis. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3048 KiB  
Article
Paper-Based DNA Biosensor for Rapid and Selective Detection of miR-21
by Alexander Hunt, Sri Ramulu Torati and Gymama Slaughter
Biosensors 2024, 14(10), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14100485 - 8 Oct 2024
Viewed by 648
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, with 9.7 million fatalities in 2022. While routine screenings are vital for early detection, healthcare disparities persist, highlighting the need for equitable solutions. Recent advancements in cancer biomarker identification, particularly microRNAs (miRs), have improved [...] Read more.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, with 9.7 million fatalities in 2022. While routine screenings are vital for early detection, healthcare disparities persist, highlighting the need for equitable solutions. Recent advancements in cancer biomarker identification, particularly microRNAs (miRs), have improved early detection. MiR-21 is notably overexpressed in various cancers and can be a valuable diagnostic tool. Traditional detection methods, though accurate, are costly and complex, limiting their use in resource-limited settings. Paper-based electrochemical biosensors offer a promising alternative, providing cost-effective, sensitive, and rapid diagnostics suitable for point-of-care use. This study introduces an innovative electrochemical paper-based biosensor that leverages gold inkjet printing for the quantitative detection of miR-21. The biosensor, aimed at developing cost-effective point-of-care devices for low-resource settings, uses thiolated self-assembled monolayers to immobilize single-stranded DNA-21 (ssDNA-21) on electrodeposited gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the printed gold surface, facilitating specific miR-21 capture. The hybridization of ssDNA-21 with miR-21 increases the anionic barrier density, impeding electron transfer from the redox probe and resulting in a current suppression that correlates with miR-21 concentration. The biosensor exhibited a linear detection range from 1 fM to 1 nM miR-21 with a sensitivity of 7.69 fM µA−1 cm2 and a rapid response time (15 min). With a low detection limit of 0.35 fM miR-21 in serum, the biosensor also demonstrates excellent selectivity against interferent species. This study introduces an electrochemical paper-based biosensor that uses gold inkjet printing to precisely detect miR-21, a key biomarker overexpressed in various cancers. This innovative device highlights the potential for cost-effective, accessible cancer diagnostics in underserved areas. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

14 pages, 1032 KiB  
Review
Needle-Shaped Biosensors for Precision Diagnoses: From Benchtop Development to In Vitro and In Vivo Applications
by Ruier Xue, Fei Deng, Tianruo Guo, Alexander Epps, Nigel H. Lovell and Mohit N. Shivdasani
Biosensors 2024, 14(8), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14080391 - 13 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1143
Abstract
To achieve the accurate recognition of biomarkers or pathological characteristics within tissues or cells, in situ detection using biosensor technology offers crucial insights into the nature, stage, and progression of diseases, paving the way for enhanced precision in diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies. [...] Read more.
To achieve the accurate recognition of biomarkers or pathological characteristics within tissues or cells, in situ detection using biosensor technology offers crucial insights into the nature, stage, and progression of diseases, paving the way for enhanced precision in diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies. The implementation of needle-shaped biosensors (N-biosensors) presents a highly promising method for conducting in situ measurements of clinical biomarkers in various organs, such as in the brain or spinal cord. Previous studies have highlighted the excellent performance of different N-biosensor designs in detecting biomarkers from clinical samples in vitro. Recent preclinical in vivo studies have also shown significant progress in the clinical translation of N-biosensor technology for in situ biomarker detection, enabling highly accurate diagnoses for cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases. This article begins with an overview of current state-of-the-art benchtop N-biosensor designs, discusses their preclinical applications for sensitive diagnoses, and concludes by exploring the challenges and potential avenues for next-generation N-biosensor technology. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 5361 KiB  
Review
Aptamer Screening: Current Methods and Future Trend towards Non-SELEX Approach
by Zhihui Fang, Xiaorui Feng, Fan Tang, Han Jiang, Shuyuan Han, Ran Tao and Chenze Lu
Biosensors 2024, 14(7), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14070350 - 18 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1568
Abstract
Aptamers are nucleic acid sequences that specifically bind with target molecules and are vital to applications such as biosensing, drug development, disease diagnostics, etc. The traditional selection procedure of aptamers is based on the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by an Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) [...] Read more.
Aptamers are nucleic acid sequences that specifically bind with target molecules and are vital to applications such as biosensing, drug development, disease diagnostics, etc. The traditional selection procedure of aptamers is based on the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by an Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) process, which relies on repeating cycles of screening and amplification. With the rapid development of aptamer applications, RNA and XNA aptamers draw more attention than before. But their selection is troublesome due to the necessary reverse transcription and transcription process (RNA) or low efficiency and accuracy of enzymes for amplification (XNA). In light of this, we review the recent advances in aptamer selection methods and give an outlook on future development in a non-SELEX approach, which simplifies the procedure and reduces the experimental costs. We first provide an overview of the traditional SELEX methods mostly designed for screening DNA aptamers to introduce the common tools and methods. Then a section on the current screening methods for RNA and XNA is prepared to demonstrate the efforts put into screening these aptamers and the current difficulties. We further predict that the future trend of aptamer selection lies in non-SELEX methods that do not require nucleic acid amplification. We divide non-SELEX methods into an immobilized format and non-immobilized format and discuss how high-resolution partitioning methods could facilitate the further improvement of selection efficiency and accuracy. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop