Recent advances in biosensor techniques for environmental monitoring

Surface Acoustic Wave-Driven Enhancement of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays: ELISAW

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are widely used in biology and clinical diagnosis. Relying on antigen-antibody interaction through diffusion, the standard ELISA protocol can be time-consuming, preventing its use in rapid diagnostics. We present a time-saving and more sensitive ELISA without changing the standard setup and protocol, using surface acoustic waves (SAWs) to enhance performance. Each step of the assay, from the initial antibody binding onto the walls of the well plate to the target analyte molecules' binding for detection─except, notably, for the blocking step─is improved principally via acoustic streaming-driven advection. Using SAWs, the time required for one step of an example ELISA is reduced from 60 to 15 min to achieve the same binding amount. By extending the duration of SAW exposure to 20 min, the sensitivity can be significantly improved over the 60 min, 35 °C ELISA without SAWs. It is also possible to confer beneficial improvements to bead-based ELISA by combining it with SAWs to further reduce the time required for binding to 2 min. By significantly increasing the speed of ELISA, its utility may be improved for a wide range of point-of-care diagnostics applications.

Biomedical Applications of CNT-Based Fibers

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been regarded as emerging materials in various applications. However, the range of biomedical applications is limited due to the aggregation and potential toxicity of powder-type CNTs. To overcome these issues, techniques to assemble them into various macroscopic structures, such as one-dimensional fibers, two-dimensional films, and three-dimensional aerogels, have been developed. Among them, carbon nanotube fiber (CNTF) is a one-dimensional aggregate of CNTs, which can be used to solve the potential toxicity problem of individual CNTs. Furthermore, since it has unique properties due to the one-dimensional nature of CNTs, CNTF has beneficial potential for biomedical applications. This review summarizes the biomedical applications using CNTF, such as the detection of biomolecules or signals for biosensors, strain sensors for wearable healthcare devices, and tissue engineering for regenerating human tissues. In addition, by considering the challenges and perspectives of CNTF for biomedical applications, the feasibility of CNTF in biomedical applications is discussed.

Sensors for Emerging Water Contaminants: Overcoming Roadblocks to Innovation

Ensuring water quality and safety requires the effective detection of emerging contaminants, which present significant risks to both human health and the environment. Field deployable low-cost sensors provide solutions to detect contaminants at their source and enable large-scale water quality monitoring and management. Unfortunately, the availability and utilization of such sensors remain limited. This Perspective examines current sensing technologies for detecting emerging contaminants and analyzes critical barriers, such as high costs, lack of reliability, difficulties in implementation in real-world settings, and lack of stakeholder involvement in sensor design. These technical and nontechnical barriers severely hinder progression from proof-of-concepts and negatively impact user experience factors such as ease-of-use and actionability using sensing data, ultimately affecting successful translation and widespread adoption of these technologies. We provide examples of specific sensing systems and explore key strategies to address the remaining scientific challenges that must be overcome to translate these technologies into the field such as improving sensitivity, selectivity, robustness, and performance in real-world water environments. Other critical aspects such as tailoring research to meet end-users' requirements, integrating cost considerations and consumer needs into the early prototype design, establishing standardized evaluation and validation protocols, fostering academia-industry collaborations, maximizing data value by establishing data sharing initiatives, and promoting workforce development are also discussed. The Perspective describes a set of guidelines for the development, translation, and implementation of water quality sensors to swiftly and accurately detect, analyze, track, and manage contamination.

Synergistic/antagonistic toxicity characterization and source-apportionment of heavy metals and organophosphorus pesticides by the biospectroscopy-bioreporter-coupling approach

Many anthropogenic chemicals are manufactured and eventually enter the surrounding environment, threatening food security and human health. Considering the additive or synergistic effects of pollutant mixtures, there is an expanding need for rapid, cost-effective and field-portable screening methods in environmental monitoring. This study used a recently developed biospectroscopy-bioreporter-coupling (BBC) approach to investigate the binary toxicity of Ag(I), Cr(VI) and four organophosphorus pesticides (dichlorvos, parathion, omethoate and monocrotophos). Ag(I) and Cr(VI) altered the toxicity mechanisms of pesticides, explained by the synergistic or antagonistic effect of Ag/Cr-induced cytotoxicity and pesticide-induced genotoxicity. The discriminating Raman spectral peaks associated with organophosphorus pesticides were 1585 and 1682 cm-1, but 750, 1004, 1306 and 1131 cm-1 were found in heavy metal and pesticide mixtures. More spectral alterations were related to pesticides rather than Ag(I) or Cr(VI), hinting at the dominant toxicity mechanisms of pesticides in mixtures. Ag(I) supplement significantly increased the levels of reactive oxygen species induced by organophosphorus pesticides, attributing to the increased permeability of cell membrane and entrance of toxic substances into the cells by the oligodynamic actions. This study lends deeper insights into the interactions between microbes and pollutant mixtures, offering clues to assess the cocktail effects of multiple pollutants comprehensively.

A review of biosensor for environmental monitoring: principle, application, and corresponding achievement of sustainable development goals

Human health/socioeconomic development is closely correlated to environmental pollution, highlighting the need to monitor contaminants in the real environment with reliable devices such as biosensors. Recently, variety of biosensors gained high attention and employed as in-situ application, in real-time, and cost-effective analytical tools for healthy environment. For continuous environmental monitoring, it is necessary for portable, cost-effective, quick, and flexible biosensing devices. These benefits of the biosensor strategy are related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations (UN), especially with reference to clean water and sources of energy. However, the relationship between SDGs and biosensor application for environmental monitoring is not well understood. In addition, some limitations and challenges might hinder the biosensor application on environmental monitoring. Herein, we reviewed the different types of biosensors, principle and applications, and their correlation with SDG 6, 12, 13, 14, and 15 as a reference for related authorities and administrators to consider. In this review, biosensors for different pollutants such as heavy metals and organics were documented. The present study highlights the application of biosensor for achieving SDGs. Current advantages and future research aspects are summarized in this paper.Abbreviations: ATP: Adenosine triphosphate; BOD: Biological oxygen demand; COD: Chemical oxygen demand; Cu-TCPP: Cu-porphyrin; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; EDCs: Endocrine disrupting chemicals; EPA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Fc-HPNs: Ferrocene (Fc)-based hollow polymeric nanospheres; Fe₃O₄@3D-GO: Fe₃O₄@three-dimensional graphene oxide; GC: Gas chromatography; GCE: Glassy carbon electrode; GFP: Green fluorescent protein; GHGs: Greenhouse gases; HPLC: High performance liquid chromatography; ICP-MS: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; ITO: Indium tin oxide; LAS: Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate; LIG: Laser-induced graphene; LOD: Limit of detection; ME: Magnetoelastic; MFC: Microbial fuel cell; MIP: Molecular imprinting polymers; MWCNT: Multi-walled carbon nanotube; MXC: Microbial electrochemical cell-based; NA: Nucleic acid; OBP: Odorant binding protein; OPs: Organophosphorus; PAHs: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; PBBs: Polybrominated biphenyls; PBDEs: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; PCBs: Polychlorinated biphenyls; PGE: Polycrystalline gold electrode; photoMFC: photosynthetic MFC; POPs: Persistent organic pollutants; rGO: Reduced graphene oxide; RNA: Ribonucleic acid; SDGs: Sustainable Development Goals; SERS: Surface enhancement Raman spectrum; SPGE: Screen-printed gold electrode; SPR: Surface plasmon resonance; SWCNTs: single-walled carbon nanotubes; TCPP: Tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin; TIRF: Total internal reflection fluorescence; TIRF: Total internal reflection fluorescence; TOL: Toluene-catabolic; TPHs: Total petroleum hydrocarbons; UN: United Nations; VOCs: Volatile organic compounds.

Advancing biological investigations using portable sensors for detection of sensitive samples

Portable biosensors are emerged as powerful diagnostic tools for analyzing intricately complex biological samples. These biosensors offer sensitive detection capabilities by utilizing biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, microbes or microbial products, antibodies, and enzymes. Their speed, accuracy, stability, specificity, and low cost make them indispensable in forensic investigations and criminal cases. Notably, portable biosensors have been developed to rapidly detect toxins, poisons, body fluids, and explosives; they have proven invaluable in forensic examinations of suspected samples, generating efficient results that enable effective and fair trials. One of the key advantages of portable biosensors is their ability to provide sensitive and non-destructive detection of forensic samples without requiring extensive sample preparation, thereby reducing the possibility of false results. This comprehensive review provides an overview of the current advancements in portable biosensors for the detection of sensitive materials, highlighting their significance in advancing investigations and enhancing sensitive sample detection capabilities.

Insights in Pharmaceutical Pollution: The Prospective Role of eDNA Metabarcoding

Environmental pollution is a growing threat to natural ecosystems and one of the world's most pressing concerns. The increasing worldwide use of pharmaceuticals has elevated their status as significant emerging contaminants. Pharmaceuticals enter aquatic environments through multiple pathways related to anthropogenic activity. Their high consumption, insufficient waste treatment, and the incapacity of organisms to completely metabolize them contribute to their accumulation in aquatic environments, posing a threat to all life forms. Various analytical methods have been used to quantify pharmaceuticals. Biotechnology advancements based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, like eDNA metabarcoding, have enabled the development of new methods for assessing and monitoring the ecotoxicological effects of pharmaceuticals. eDNA metabarcoding is a valuable biomonitoring tool for pharmaceutical pollution because it (a) provides an efficient method to assess and predict pollution status, (b) identifies pollution sources, (c) tracks changes in pharmaceutical pollution levels over time, (d) assesses the ecological impact of pharmaceutical pollution, (e) helps prioritize cleanup and mitigation efforts, and (f) offers insights into the diversity and composition of microbial and other bioindicator communities. This review highlights the issue of aquatic pharmaceutical pollution while emphasizing the importance of using modern NGS-based biomonitoring actions to assess its environmental effects more consistently and effectively.

Application of magnetic-nanoparticle functionalized whole-cell biosensor array for bioavailability and ecotoxicity estimation at urban contaminated sites

The bioavailability and ecotoxicity of pollutants are important for urban ecological systems and human health, particularly at contaminated urban sites. Therefore, whole-cell bioreporters are used in many studies to assess the risks of priority chemicals; however, their application is restricted by low throughput for specific compounds and complicated operations for field tests. In this study, an assembly technology for manufacturing Acinetobacter-based biosensor arrays using magnetic nanoparticle functionalization was developed to solve this problem. The bioreporter cells maintained high viability, sensitivity, and specificity in sensing 28 priority chemicals, seven heavy metals, and seven inorganic compounds in a high-throughput manner, and their performance remained acceptable for at least 20 d. We also tested the performance by assessing 22 real environmental soil samples from urban areas in China, and our results showed positive correlations between the biosensor estimation and chemical analysis. Our findings prove the feasibility of the magnetic nanoparticle-functionalized biosensor array to recognize the types and toxicities of multiple contaminants for online environmental monitoring at contaminated sites.

Highly Sensitive Detection of Urea Using Si Electrolyte-Gated Transistor with Low Power Consumption

We experimentally demonstrate Si-based electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) for detecting urea. The top-down-fabricated device exhibited excellent intrinsic characteristics, including a low subthreshold swing (SS) (~80 mV/dec) and a high on/off current ratio (~10⁷). The sensitivity, which varied depending on the operation regime, was analyzed with the urea concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 316 mM. The current-related response could be enhanced by reducing the SS of the devices, whereas the voltage-related response remained relatively constant. The urea sensitivity in the subthreshold regime was as high as 1.9 dec/pUrea, four times higher than the reported value. The extracted power consumption of 0.3 nW was extremely low compared to other FET-type sensors.

Review of Bacterial Nanocellulose-Based Electrochemical Biosensors: Functionalization, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Electrochemical biosensing devices are known for their simple operational procedures, low fabrication cost, and suitable real-time detection. Despite these advantages, they have shown some limitations in the immobilization of biochemicals. The development of alternative materials to overcome these drawbacks has attracted significant attention. Nanocellulose-based materials have revealed valuable features due to their capacity for the immobilization of biomolecules, structural flexibility, and biocompatibility. Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) has gained a promising role as an alternative to antifouling surfaces. To widen its applicability as a biosensing device, BNC may form part of the supports for the immobilization of specific materials. The possibilities of modification methods and in situ and ex situ functionalization enable new BNC properties. With the new insights into nanoscale studies, we expect that many biosensors currently based on plastic, glass, or paper platforms will rely on renewable platforms, especially BNC ones. Moreover, substrates based on BNC seem to have paved the way for the development of sensing platforms with minimally invasive approaches, such as wearable devices, due to their mechanical flexibility and biocompatibility.

Recent Progress and Applications of Thermal Lens Spectrometry and Photothermal Beam Deflection Techniques in Environmental Sensing

This paper presents recent development and applications of thermal lens microscopy (TLM) and beam deflection spectrometry (BDS) for the analysis of water samples and sea ice. Coupling of TLM detection to a microfluidic system for flow injection analysis (μFIA) enables the detection of microcystin-LR in waters with a four samples/min throughput (in triplicate injections) and provides an LOD of 0.08 µg/L which is 12-times lower than the MCL for microcystin-LR in water. μFIA-TLM was also applied for the determination of total Fe and Fe(II) in 3 µL samples of synthetic cloudwater. The LODs were found to be 100 nM for Fe(II) and 70 nM for total Fe. The application of µFIA-TLM for the determination of ammonium in water resulted in an LOD of 2.3 µM for injection of a 5 µL sample and TLM detection in a 100 µm deep microfluidic channel. For the determination of iron species in sea ice, the BDS was coupled to a diffusive gradient in the thin film technique (DGT). The 2D distribution of Fe(II) and total Fe on DGT gels provided by the BDS (LOD of 50 nM) reflected the distribution of Fe species in sea ice put in contact with DGT gels.

A label-free fluorescent aptasensor based on the AIE effect and CoOOH for ultrasensitive determination of carcinoembryonic antigen

Highly sensitive and specific detection of cancer markers (such as carcinoembryonic antigen) is very important for early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Herein, we developed a label-free fluorescent aptamer biosensor based on the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect and hydroxycobalt oxide (CoOOH) platform, and used it to detect carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with high sensitivity and specificity. Fluorescent ionic liquid Compound B can combine with a CEA aptamer (CEA-Apt) through electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic interaction to form an ionic liquid/aptamer (CEA-Apt/B) complex and produce the AIE effect, thereby enhancing the fluorescence intensity of B. CEA-Apt/B was adsorbed on the surface of CoOOH when CoOOH was added to the buffer solution, and the fluorescence of B was quenched. After adding CEA to the solution, CEA-Apt/B bound to CEA and separated from the surface of CoOOH because CEA-Apt had stronger affinity for CEA, resulting in fluorescence recovery of B. In the level range of 0.67-10000 pg mL^-1, the fluorescence recovery intensity of the sensor had an excellent linear relationship with the level of CEA, and its LOD was 0.2 pg mL^-1 (S/N = 3). In addition, the sensor had good selectivity and can be directly used to detect CEA in human serum with high accuracy.

Ultrafast one-minute electronic detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection by 3CLpro enzymatic activity in untreated saliva samples

Since its onset in December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2, has caused over 6.5 million deaths worldwide as of October 2022. Attempts to curb viral transmission rely heavily on reliable testing to detect infections since a large number of transmissions are carried through asymptomatic individuals. Many available detection methods fall short in terms of reliability or point-of-care applicability. Here, we report an electrochemical approach targeting a viral proteolytic enzyme, 3CLpro, as a marker of active infection. We detect proteolytic activity directly from untreated saliva within one minute of sample incubation using a reduction-oxidation pH indicator. Importantly, clinical tests of saliva samples from 50 subjects show accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2, with high sensitivity and specificity, validated by PCR testing. These, coupled with our platform's ultrafast detection, simplicity, low cost and point-of-care compatibility, make it a promising method for the real-world SARS-CoV-2 mass-screening.

Advances in plasmonic-based MOF composites, their bio-applications and perspectives in this field

INTRODUCTION

Nanomaterials have been used for bio-applications since the late 20st century. In an attempt to tailor and optimize their properties, and by extension their efficiency, composites have attracted considerable attention. In this regard, recent studies on plasmonic nanoparticles and metal-organic framework (NP@MOF) composites suggested these materials show great promise in this field.

AREAS COVERED

This review focused on the more recent scientific advances in the synthetic strategies to optimize plasmonic MOF nanocomposites currently available, as well as their bio-application, particularly as biosensors and therapy.

EXPERT OPINION

Plasmonic MOF nanocomposites have shown great potential as they combine the properties of both materials with proven efficiency in bio-application. On the one hand, nanoMOFs have proven their potential particularly as drug nanocarriers, owing to their exceptional porosity and tunability. On the other hand, plasmonic nanoparticles have been an asset for imaging and phototherapy. Different strategies have been reported to develop these nanocomposites, mainly including core-shell, encapsulation, and in situ reduction. In addition, advanced composite structures should be considered, such as mixed metal nanoparticles, hollow structures or the combination of several approaches. Specifically, plasmonic MOF nanocomposites prove to be attractive stimuli responsive drug delivery systems, phototherapeutic agents as well as highly sensitive biosensors.

Emerging bioanalytical sensors for rapid and close-to-real-time detection of priority abiotic and biotic stressors in aquaculture and culture-based fisheries

Abiotic stresses of various chemical contamination of physical, inorganic, organic and biotoxin origin and biotic stresses of bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal origins are the significant constraints in achieving higher aquaculture production. Testing and rapid detection of these chemical and microbial contaminants are crucial in identifying and mitigating abiotic and biotic stresses, which has become one of the most challenging aspects in aquaculture and culture-based fisheries. The classical analytical techniques, including titrimetric methods, spectrophotometric, mass spectrometric, spectroscopic, and chromatographic techniques, are tedious and sometimes inaccessible when required. The development of novel and improved bioanalytical methods for rapid, selective and sensitive detection is a wide and dynamic field of research. Biosensors offer precise detection of biotic and abiotic stressors in aquaculture and culture-based fisheries within no time. This review article allows filling the knowledge gap for detection and monitoring of chemical and microbial contaminants of abiotic and biotic origin in aquaculture and culture-based fisheries using nano(bio-) analytical technologies, including nano(bio-)molecular and nano(bio-)sensing techniques.

Cheap and Sustainable Biosensor Fabrication by Enzyme Immobilization in Commercial Polyacrylic Acid/Carbon Nanotube Films

Novel glucose biosensors were constructed by loading glucose oxidase (GOx) into the nanopores of homogenous carbon nanotube (CNT) films on the surface of Pt disk electrodes and trapping the enzyme by subsequent deposition of polyacrylic acid (PAA), forming PAA/GOx-CNT-modified Pt disks. In amperometric biosensing with anodic hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) detection at a potential of +600 mV, increasing electrolyte glucose concentrations produced instantaneous steps in the H₂O₂ oxidation current. Glucose biosensor amperometry was feasible down to 10 μM, with a sensitivity of about 34 μA mM^-1 cm^-2 and linear current response up to 5 mM. The biosensors reliably determined glucose concentrations in human serum and a beverage. Successful trials with PAA/GOx-CNT-modified screen-printed Pt electrode disks demonstrated the potential of this means of enzyme fixation in biosensor mass fabrication, which offers a unique combination of cheap availability of the two matrix constituents and sensor layer formation through simple drop-and-dry steps. PAA/GOx-CNT/Pt biosensors are green and user-friendly bioanalytical tools that do not need large budgets, special skills, or laboratory amenities for their production. Any user, from industrial, university, or school laboratories, even if inexperienced in biosensor construction, can prepare functional biosensors with GOx, as in these proof-of-principle studies, or with other redox enzymes, for clinical, environmental, pharmaceutical, or food sample analysis.

Plasmonic Biosensors: Review

Biosensors have globally been considered as biomedical diagnostic tools required in abundant areas including the development of diseases, detection of viruses, diagnosing ecological pollution, food monitoring, and a wide range of other diagnostic and therapeutic biomedical research. Recently, the broadly emerging and promising technique of plasmonic resonance has proven to provide label-free and highly sensitive real-time analysis when used in biosensing applications. In this review, a thorough discussion regarding the most recent techniques used in the design, fabrication, and characterization of plasmonic biosensors is conducted in addition to a comparison between those techniques with regard to their advantages and possible drawbacks when applied in different fields.

Recent Trends in Biosensors for Environmental Quality Monitoring

The monitoring of environmental pollution requires fast, reliable, cost-effective and small devices. This need explains the recent trends in the development of biosensing devices for pollutant detection. The present review aims to summarize the newest trends regarding the use of biosensors to detect environmental contaminants. Enzyme, whole cell, antibody, aptamer, and DNA-based biosensors and biomimetic sensors are discussed. We summarize their applicability to the detection of various pollutants and mention their constructive characteristics. Several detection principles are used in biosensor design: amperometry, conductometry, luminescence, etc. They differ in terms of rapidity, sensitivity, profitability, and design. Each one is characterized by specific selectivity and detection limits depending on the sensitive element. Mimetic biosensors are slowly gaining attention from researchers and users due to their advantages compared with classical ones. Further studies are necessary for the development of robust biosensing devices that can successfully be used for the detection of pollutants from complex matrices without prior sample preparation.

Recent Advances in Chemical Sensors for Soil Analysis: A Review

The continuously rising interest in chemical sensors’ applications in environmental monitoring, for soil analysis in particular, is owed to the sufficient sensitivity and selectivity of these analytical devices, their low costs, their simple measurement setups, and the possibility to perform online and in-field analyses with them. In this review the recent advances in chemical sensors for soil analysis are summarized. The working principles of chemical sensors involved in soil analysis; their benefits and drawbacks; and select applications of both the single selective sensors and multisensor systems for assessments of main plant nutrition components, pollutants, and other important soil parameters (pH, moisture content, salinity, exhaled gases, etc.) of the past two decades with a focus on the last 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) are overviewed.

2D Materials-Based Aptamer Biosensors: Present Status and Way Forward

Current advances in constructing functional nanomaterials and elegantly designed nanostructures have opened up new possibilities for the fabrication of viable field biosensors. Two-dimensional materials (2DMs) have fascinated much attention due to their chemical, optical, physicochemical, and electronic properties. They are ultrathin nanomaterials with unique properties such as high surface-to-volume ratio, surface charge, shape, high anisotropy, and adjustable chemical functionality. 2DMs such as graphene-based 2D materials, Silicate clays, layered double hydroxides (LDHs), MXenes, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and transition metal oxides (TMOs) offer intensified physicochemical and biological functionality and have proven to be very promising candidates for biological applications and technologies. 2DMs have a multivalent structure that can easily bind to single-stranded DNA/RNA (aptamers) through covalent, non-covalent, hydrogen bond, and π-stacking interactions, whereas aptamers have a small size, excellent chemical stability, and low immunogenicity with high affinity and specificity. This review discussed the potential of various 2D material-based aptasensor for diagnostic applications, e.g., protein detection, environmental monitoring, pathogens detection, etc.

Creation of a low cost, low light bioluminescence sensor for real time biological nitrate sensing in marine environments

The concentration of nitrate (NO3-) in Narragansett Bay has been shown to undergo considerable temporal and spatial variation. However, the dynamics of this flux has never been monitored on a fine-scale (<100 m, < 1 d) or in real-time. Whole-cell bio-reporters are promising candidates for low cost environmental sensing of bioavailable nutrients. Yet difficulties remain in creating sensors for long term deployment in the marine environment. This paper describes the creation and validation of a low-cost sensor using a self-bioluminescent strain of the cyanobacteria Synechococcus elongatus pcc 7942 for the direct measurement of bioavailable nitrate. Nitrate bioavailability was measured by monitoring light emission from a luxAB based promotor fusion to glnA using a light to frequency sensor and single board microcontroller. Sensor designs are presented in this manuscript with specific focus on storage, cell viability, and compatibility with the marine environment. Sensors were able to consistently assess nitrate standards as low as 1 ppm (16.3 μM). Using a wavelet denoising approach to reduce white noise and hardware noise, nitrate detection of standards as low as 0.037 ppm (0.65 μM) was achieved. Good sensitivity and low cost make these sensors ideal candidates for continuous monitoring of biological nitrates in estuarine systems.

Urea biosensors: A comprehensive review

Present study is specially designed for the recent advances in biosensors to detect and quantify urea concentration. Urea (carbamide) is an organic compound made up of the carbonyl (C=O) functional group with two -NH₂ groups having chemical formula CO (NH₂ )₂ . In nature, urea is found everywhere as the result of various processes, and in the human body, urea is an end product of nitrogen metabolism. An excessive concentration of urea in the human body is responsible for different critical diseases such as indigestion, acidity, ulcers, cancer, malfunctioning of kidneys, renal failure, urinary tract obstruction, dehydration, shock, burns, gastrointestinal bleeding, and so on. Moreover, below the normal level may cause hepatic failure, nephritic syndrome, cachexia, and so on. As well as in various fields such as fishery, dairy, food preservation, agriculture, and so on, urea is normally found and its detection is necessary. In urea biosensors, enzyme urease (Urs) is used as a bioreceptor element and retains its long last activity is the critical issue in front of the researcher. During recent decades, different nanoparticles (zinc oxide, nickel oxide, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, tin(IV) oxide, etc.), conducting polymer (polyaniline, polypyrrole, etc.), conducting polymer-nanoparticles composites, carbon materials (carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide graphene), and so on are used in urea biosensors. The main emphasis of the present study is to provide cumulative and comprehensive information about the sensing parameters of urea biosensors based on the materials used for enzyme immobilization. Besides this special task, this review provides a fruitful discussion on the basics of biosensors briefly for new and upcoming researchers. Thus, the present study may act as a gift for a large audience that come from different fields and are working in biosensors research.

Label-free optical antibody testing kit based on a self-assembled whispering-gallery-mode microsphere

The appearance of antibodies in blood is a critical signal to suggest the infection. A rapid and accurate detection method for the antibody is significant to the disease diagnosis, especially for the epidemic. To this end, a highly sensitive whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) optical testing kit is designed and fabricated for detecting the specific immunoglobulin antibodies. The key component of the kit is a silica self-assembled microsphere decorated with the nucleocapsid proteins (N-proteins) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. After the N-protein antibody immunoglobulin G (N-IgG) and immunoglobulin M (N-IgM) solutions being injected into the kit, the WGM red-shifts due to the antigen-antibody reaction. The wavelength displacement rates are proportional to the concentrations of these two antibodies from 1 to 100 μg/mL. A good specificity of the kit is demonstrated by the nonspecific human immunoglobulin G (H-IgG) and immunoglobulin M (H-IgM).

Monitoring arsenic using genetically encoded biosensors in vitro: The role of evolved regulatory genes

Toxic pollutant (TP) detection in situ using analytical instruments or whole-cell biosensors is inconvenient. Designing and developing genetically coded biosensors in vitro for real-world TP detection is a promising alternative. However, because the bioactivity and stability of some key biomolecules are weakened in vitro, the response and regulation of reporter protein become difficult. Here, we established a genetically encoded biosensor in vitro with an arsenical resistance operon repressor (ArsR) and GFP reporter gene. Given that the wildtype ArsR did not respond to arsenic and activate GFP expression in vitro, we found, after screening, an evolved ArsR mutant ep3 could respond to arsenic and exhibited an approximately 3.4-fold fluorescence increase. Arsenic induced expression of both wildtype ArsR and ep3 mutant in vitro, however, only ep3 mutant regulated the expression of reporter gene. Furthermore, the effects of cell extracts, temperature, pH, incubation, and equilibrium time were investigated, and the equilibration of reaction mixtures for 30 min at 37 °C was found to be essential for in vitro arsenic detection prior to treatment with arsenic. Based on our data, we established a standard procedure for arsenic detection in vitro. Our results will facilitate the practical application of genetically encoded biosensors in TP monitoring.

Advancing Biosensors with Machine Learning

Chemometrics play a critical role in biosensors-based detection, analysis, and diagnosis. Nowadays, as a branch of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) have achieved impressive advances. However, novel advanced ML methods, especially deep learning, which is famous for image analysis, facial recognition, and speech recognition, has remained relatively elusive to the biosensor community. Herein, how ML can be beneficial to biosensors is systematically discussed. The advantages and drawbacks of most popular ML algorithms are summarized on the basis of sensing data analysis. Specially, deep learning methods such as convolutional neural network (CNN) and recurrent neural network (RNN) are emphasized. Diverse ML-assisted electrochemical biosensors, wearable electronics, SERS and other spectra-based biosensors, fluorescence biosensors and colorimetric biosensors are comprehensively discussed. Furthermore, biosensor networks and multibiosensor data fusion are introduced. This review will nicely bridge ML with biosensors, and greatly expand chemometrics for detection, analysis, and diagnosis.

A portable instrument for monitoring acute water toxicity based on mediated electrochemical biosensor: Design, testing and evaluation

A water quality early-warning instrument for evaluating acute water toxicity based on the electrochemical biosensor, Model ETOX18-01, was developed and manufactured with the features of low current detection (0.1 nA), precise thermostatic control, self-cleaning as well as remote data transmission. A sensitive integrated microbial electrode, made up of a glass carbon electrode that was modified by an active biofilm consisting of Escherichia coli, thionine, carbon nanodots and chitosan, has been fabricated as the biosensor. To validate the performance, multiple real water samples and artificial water samples were tested by Model ETOX18-01, and compared with ISO standardized luminescent bacterial test simultaneously. The correlation between the Model ETOX18-01 and luminescent bacterial test for these water samples showed good determination coefficient (R² = 0.9827). In addition, Model ETOX18-01 is more sensitive to colored metal ionic samples. With its characteristics of high sensitivity, excellent repeatability and easy operation, the instrument Model ETOX18-01 provides a promising tool for large-scale water environmental assessment, and has a potential application in evaluating the water quality and early risk warning.

Bimetallic Thin-Film Combination of Surface Plasmon Resonance-Based Optical Fiber Cladding with the Polarizing Homodyne Balanced Detection Method and Biomedical Assay Application

In this work, we present the optical birefringence properties of the optical fiber cladding that exists as an evanescent field where the refractive index (RI) of the analysis solution is applied for optical sensor aspiration. To enhance the performance of the sensor, we have investigated the sensor with different thicknesses of TiO₂ coating and bimetallic (Ag-Al) film alloy combinations by thermal evaporation coating. We described a special balanced homodyne detection method for the intensity difference change between the p- and s-polarization lights in the surface plasmon resonance sensing systems, which is strongly determined by the RI of the test medium. The plasmonic optical fiber can measure a very small change of the RI of a glycerol solution, which is a resolution of 4.37 × 10^-8 RI unit (RIU). This method has great advantages of a small-sized optical setup, high stability, high selectivity, easy chemical modification, and low cost. Furthermore, because of the experiment results, we observe that our approach can also eliminate the surrounding noise in the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, which shows the feasibility of this proposed technique. We demonstrate the fluorescence enhancement in detecting the C-reactive protein antibody conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate by means of near-field coupling between surface plasmons and fluorophores at spectral channels of emission. This technique can also be extended for application in a biomedical assay and in biochemical science, including molecular diagnostics relying on multichannels that require a small volume of the analyte at each channel which would suffer from the weakness of fluorescence if it were not for the enhancement technology.

Polyphenol oxidase-based electrochemical biosensors: A review

The detection of phenolic compounds is relevant not only for their possible benefits to human health but also for their role as chemical pollutants, including as endocrine disruptors. The required monitoring of such compounds on-site or in field analysis can be performed with electrochemical biosensors made with polyphenol oxidases (PPO). In this review, we describe biosensors containing the oxidases tyrosinase and laccase, in addition to crude extracts and tissues from plants as enzyme sources. From the survey in the literature, we found that significant advances to obtain sensitive, robust biosensors arise from the synergy reached with a diversity of nanomaterials employed in the matrix. These nanomaterials are mostly metallic nanoparticles and carbon nanostructures, which offer a suitable environment to preserve the activity of the enzymes and enhance electron transport. Besides presenting a summary of contributions to electrochemical biosensors containing PPOs in the last five years, we discuss the trends and challenges to take these biosensors to the market, especially for biomedical applications.

Flexible electrochemical glucose biosensor based on GOx/gold/MoS2/gold nanofilm on the polymer electrode

The need for flexible biosensors has increased because of their potential applications for point-of-care diagnosis and wearable biosensors. However, flexible biosensors have low sensitivity due to the flexibility of the electrode, and their fabrication involves complex processes. To overcome these limitations, a flexible electrochemical enzyme biosensor was developed in this study by immobilizing an enzyme on the flexible polymer electrode modified with a gold/MoS₂/gold nanofilm. The fabrication process involved sputter deposition of gold, spin coating of MoS₂, and sputter deposition of gold on the flexible polymer electrode (commercially available Kapton^® polyimide film). The flexible glucose biosensor was made by immobilization of glucose oxidase on a flexible electrode by using a chemical linker. The detection limit for glucose was estimated to be 10 nM, which indicates more sensitivity as compared with a previously reported flexible glucose sensor. This sensitivity is due to the facilitation of electron transfer by MoS₂. The flexure extension of this biosensor was estimated at 3.48 mm, which is much higher than that of the rigid sensor using a gold-coated silicon electrode (0.09 mm), according to measurements with a micro-fatigue tester. The proposed flexible biosensor composed of the enzyme/gold/MoS₂/gold nanofilm on the polymer electrode can be used as a flexible sensing platform for developing wearable biosensing systems because of its high sensitivity, high flexibility, and simple fabrication process.

Rapid quantitative protein detection by light transmission spectroscopy

Rapid, sensitive, and quantitative protein detection is critical for many applications in medicine, environmental monitoring, and the food industry. Advancements in detection of proteins include the use of antigen-antibody binding; however, many current methods are time-consuming and have limiting factors such as low sensitivity and the inability to provide absolute values. We present a new high-throughput method for protein detection using light transmission spectroscopy (LTS), which can quantify and size nanoparticles in fluid suspension. LTS can quantify proteins directly and target specific proteins through antigen-antibody binding. This work shows that LTS can distinguish between and quantify bovine serum albumin, its antibody, and the BSA + Ab complex and determine BSA protein concentrations down to 5 μg/mL. We use both Mie and discrete dipole approximation models to provide geometric insight into the binding process.

Liquid biopsy of circulating tumor DNA and biosensor applications

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a class of liquid biopsy is a type of gene fragment that contains tumor-specific gene changes in body fluids such as human peripheral blood. More and more evidences show that ctDNA is an excellent tumor biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, tumor heterogeneity and so on. ctDNA is a tumor code in the blood. Liquid biopsy of ctDNA is firstly summarized. Compared with the traditional detection technologies of ctDNA, the biosensor is an excellent choice for the detection of ctDNA because of its portability, sensitivity, specificity and ease of use. This review mainly evaluates various biosensors applied to the detection of ctDNA. We discuss the most commonly used bioreceptors to specifically identify and bind ctDNA, including complementary DNA (cDNA), peptide nucleic acid (PNA) and anti-5 MethylCytosines, and the biotransducers which convert biological signals to analysable signs. The review also discusses signal amplification strategies in biosensors to detect ctDNA.

Current status of water environment and their microbial biosensor techniques - Part II: Recent trends in microbial biosensor development

In Part I of the present review series, I presented the current state of the water environment by focusing on Japanese cases and discussed the need to further develop microbial biosensor technologies for the actual water environment. I comprehensively present trends after approximately 2010 in microbial biosensor development for the water environment. In the first section, after briefly summarizing historical studies, recent studies on microbial biosensor principles are introduced. In the second section, recent application studies for the water environment are also introduced. Finally, I conclude the present review series by describing the need to further develop microbial biosensor technologies. Graphical abstract Current water pollution indirectly occurs by anthropogenic eutrophication (Part I). Recent trends in microbial biosensor development for water environment are described in part II of the present review series.

Development of a 2-Nitrobenzoate-Sensing Bioreporter Based on an Inducible Gene Cluster

Based on the sole information of structural genes of the 2-nitrobenzoate (2NBA) utilizing catabolic gene cluster (onbX1X2FCAR1EHJIGDBX3), 2NBA-sensing bioreporters were constructed by incorporating egfp into the onb gene cluster of Cupriavidus sp. strain ST-14. Incorporation of reporter gene in proximal to the hypothesized promoter region in conjunction with the disruption of the gene encoding inducer-metabolizing enzyme was turned out to be advantageous in reporter gene expression at low inducer concentration. The bioreporter strain was capable of expressing EGFP from the very 1st hour of induction and could detect 2NBA at (sub) nanomolar level exhibiting a strict specificity toward 2NBA, displaying no response to EGFP expression from its meta- and para-isomers as well as from a number of structurally related compounds. The present study is a successful demonstration of the development of a 2NBA-sensing bioreporter with respect to ease of construction, inducer specificity, and sensitivity, without prior knowledge of the associated inducer-responsive promoter-regulator elements. The present approach can be used as a model for the development of bioreporters for other environmental pollutants.

The fabrication and the use of immobilized cells as test organisms in a ferricyanide-based toxicity biosensor

Cell immobilization is an effective method to prolong the lifetime of a microorganism and has proven feasibility in some other biosensors. Thus, we studied the use of Escherichia coli immobilized by agar, gelatin, an agar/gelatin mixture, chitosan, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to screen toxicity electrochemically. The E. coli immobilized by PVA gel showed the highest apparent bioactivity and the longest storage time in pH 7.0 phosphate-buffered saline solution. Furthermore, the E. coli immobilized by different gels was applied in the toxicity determination via a reported ferricyanide-mediated electrochemical method, where 3,5-dichlorophenol (DCP) was used as a model toxin. The E. coli immobilized by PVA showed the highest sensitivity to DCP, and the corresponding value of 50% inhibition concentration was 9.62 mg L^-1 . Inhibition concentrations were in the range of 6.32 to 13.75% when the E. coli immobilized by PVA was challenged by wastewater, which were comparable with values obtained with the standard luminescent bacteria method (effective inhibition were in the range 7.96-25.42% for the same samples). Given the apparent bioactivity, storage ability, and sensitivity to toxin, PVA was the best polymer to confine cells among the polymers used in the present study. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:329-335. © 2017 SETAC.

A self-powered biosensing device with an integrated hybrid biofuel cell for intermittent monitoring of analytes

In this work, we propose an integrated self-powered sensing system, driven by a hybrid biofuel cell (HBFC) with carbon paper discs coated with multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The sensing system has a biocathode made from laccase or bilirubin oxidase, and the anode is made from a zinc plate. The system includes a dedicated custom-built electronic control unit for the detection of oxygen and catechol analytes, which are central to medical and environmental applications. Both the HBFC and sensors, operate in a mediatorless direct electron transfer mode. The measured characteristics of the HBFC with externally applied resistance included the power-time dependencies under flow cell conditions, the sensors performance (evaluated by cyclic voltammetry), and chronoamperometry. The HBFC is integrated with analytical devices and operating in a pulse mode form long-run monitoring experiments. The HBFC generated sufficient power for wireless data transmission to a local computer.

Automated 3-D Printed Arrays to Evaluate Genotoxic Chemistry: E-Cigarettes and Water Samples

A novel, automated, low cost, three-dimensional (3-D) printed microfluidic array was developed to detect DNA damage from metabolites of chemicals in environmental samples. The electrochemiluminescent (ECL) detection platform incorporates layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled films of microsomal enzymes, DNA and an ECL-emitting ruthenium metallopolymer in ∼10 nm deep microwells. Liquid samples are introduced into the array, metabolized by the human enzymes, products react with DNA if possible, and DNA damage is detected by ECL with a camera. Measurements of relative DNA damage by the array assess the genotoxic potential of the samples. The array analyzes three samples simultaneously in 5 min. Measurement of cigarette and e-cigarette smoke extracts and polluted water samples was used to establish proof of concept. Potentially genotoxic reactions from e-cigarette vapor similar to smoke from conventional cigarettes were demonstrated. Untreated wastewater showed a high genotoxic potential compared to negligible values for treated wastewater from a pollution control treatment plant. Reactivity of chemicals known to produce high rates of metabolite-related DNA damage were measured, and array results for environmental samples were expressed in terms of equivalent responses from these standards to assess severity of possible DNA damage. Genotoxic assessment of wastewater samples during processing also highlighted future on-site monitoring applications.

Recent Advances in Synthesis and Biomedical Applications of Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Nanosheets

During recent decades, a giant leap in the development of nanotechnology has been witnessed. Numerous nanomaterials with different dimensions and unprecedented features have been developed and provided unimaginably wide scope to solve the challenging problems in biomedicine, such as cancer diagnosis and therapy. Recently, two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) nanosheets (NSs), including MoS₂ , WS₂ , and etc., have emerged as novel inorganic graphene analogues and attracted tremendous attention due to their unique structures and distinctive properties, and opened up great opportunities for biomedical applications, including ultrasensitive biosensing, biological imaging, drug delivery, cancer therapy, and antibacterial treatment. A comprehensive overview of different synthetic methods of ultrathin 2D TMDC NSs and their state-of-the-art biomedical applications, especially those that have appeared in the past few years, is presented. At the end of this review, the future opportunities and challenges for 2D TMDC NSs in biomedicine are also discussed.

Application of Vertical Electrodes in Microfluidic Channels for Impedance Analysis

This paper presents a microfluidic device with electroplated vertical electrodes in the side walls for impedance measurement. Based on the proposed device, the impedance of NaCl solutions with different concentrations and polystyrene microspheres with different sizes was measured and analyzed. The electroplating and SU-8-PDMS (SU-8-poly(dimethylsiloxane)) bonding technologies were firstly integrated for the fabrication of the proposed microfluidic device, resulting in a tightly three-dimensional structure for practical application. The magnitude of impedance of the tested solutions in the frequency range of 1 Hz to 100 kHz was analyzed by the Zennium electrochemical workstation. The results show that the newly designed microfluidic device has potential for impedance analysis with the advantages of ease of fabrication and the integration of 3D electrodes in the side walls. The newly designed impedance sensor can distinguish different concentrations of polystyrene microspheres and may have potential for cell counting in biological areas. By integrating with other techniques such as dielectrophoresis (DEP) and biological recognition technology, the proposed device may have potential for the assay to identify foodborne pathogen bacteria.

Spatial selective manipulation of microbubbles by tunable surface acoustic waves

A microfluidic device based on a pair of slant-finger interdigital transducers (SFITs) is developed to achieve a selective and flexible manipulation of microbubbles (MBs) by surface acoustic waves (SAWs). The resonance frequency of SAWs generated by the SFITs depends on the location of its parallel pathway; the particles at different locations of the SAWs' pathway can be controlled selectively by choosing the frequency of the excitation signal applied on the SFITs. By adjusting the input signal continuously, MBs can be transported along the acoustic aperture precisely. The displacement of MBs has a linear relationship with the frequency shift. The resolution of transportation is 15.19 ± 2.65 μm when the shift of input signal frequency is at a step of 10 kHz. In addition, the MBs can be controlled in a two-dimensional plane by combining variations of the frequency and the relative phase of the excitation signal applied on the SFITs simultaneously. This technology may open up the possibility of selectively and flexibly manipulating MBs using a simple one-dimensional device.