Lateral flow biosensors based on the use of micro- and nanomaterials: a review on recent developments

This review (with 187 refs.) summarizes the progress that has been made in the design of lateral flow biosensors (LFBs) based on the use of micro- and nano-materials. Following a short introduction into the field, a first section covers features related to the design of LFBs, with subsections on strip-based, cotton thread-based and vertical flow- and syringe-based LFBs. The next chapter summarizes methods for sample pretreatment, from simple method to membrane-based methods, pretreatment by magnetic methods to device-integrated sample preparation. Advances in flow control are treated next, with subsections on cross-flow strategies, delayed and controlled release and various other strategies. Detection conditionst and mathematical modelling are briefly introduced in the following chapter. A further chapter covers methods for reliability improvement, for example by adding other validation lines or adopting different detection methods. Signal readouts are summarized next, with subsections on color-based, luminescent, smartphone-based and SERS-based methods. A concluding section summarizes the current status and addresses challenges in future perspectives. Graphical abstractRecent development and breakthrough points of lateral flow biosensors.

Label-free lateral flow assay for Listeria monocytogenes by aptamer-gated release of signal molecules

Lateral flow assay (LFA) type of biosensors have been popular due to cost-effectiveness and easy-interpretation for instant results, most common examples of applications being pregnancy tests, food safety or medical diagnostics. There are several examples of reports with high sensitivity, including pre-concentration of the sample by magnetic pull-down. However, sensitivity and direct detection designs with aptamers has been a limiting factor for developing aptamers-based LFA assays. In this study, we report a lateral flow design based on aptamer-gated silica nanoparticles to develop high sensitivity and direct bacterial assay by shifting aptamers-target interaction to conjugation pad. Aptamer-gated silica nanoparticles-based biosensors were reported for their high sensitivity, specificity and label-free detection for small molecules and whole cells. This label-free strategy for LFA can determine L. monocytogenes in minced chicken matrix at less than 5 min with a limit of detection (LOD) of 53 cells in one mL samples.

A new point-of-care test for the diagnosis of infectious diseases based on multiplex lateral flow immunoassays

Infectious diseases are transmissible or communicable illnesses and can spread quickly in some areas and become epidemics. It is critical to quickly diagnose initial infections and prevent further spread through in vitro diagnosis. However, current detection strategies have exhibited a lack of balance with regard to accuracy, time consumption, and portability until recently (e.g. serology, culturing, molecular tests, etc.). Alternatively, many studies have focused on point-of-care testing (POCT), which combines simple, rapid, and exact on-site diagnostic platforms. Moreover, multiplex detectability is necessary for emergency treatment depending on the stage of the disease or interactional infections. The lateral flow assay (LFA) is the most popular diagnostic tool that meets the required standards for colorimetric assays. Here, we review lateral flow assays based on the immune reactions for the simultaneous diagnosis of infectious diseases as the POC test. The assays employed various forms and approaches in terms of the multiplexing level system for improving the sensitivity and specificity. We briefly describe the state-of-the-art infection diagnostic methods and published performances that have been classified into three categories based on the application forms of the lateral flow immunoassay. Also, we discuss further uses of LFA and other technologies for more effective infectious disease POCT.

Optimizing Colorimetric Assay Based on V₂O₅ Nanozymes for Sensitive Detection of H₂O₂ and Glucose

Nanozyme-based chemical sensing is a rapidly emerging field of research. Herein, a simple colorimetric assay for the detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose based on the peroxidase-like activity of V₂O₅ nanozymes has been established. In this assay, the effects of pH, substrate, nanozyme concentrations and buffer solution have been investigated. It was found that compared with 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), the enzyme substrate o-phenylenediamine (OPD) seriously interfered with the H₂O₂ detection. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the resulting sensor displayed a good response to H₂O₂ with a linear range of 1 to 500 μM, and a detection limit of 1 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. A linear correlation was established between absorbance intensity and concentration of glucose from 10 to 2000 μM, with a detection limit of 10 μM. The current work presents a simple, cheap, more convenient, sensitive, and easy handling colorimetric assay.

Small molecule detection by lateral flow strips via aptamer-gated silica nanoprobes

A fast, sensitive and ratiometric biosensor strategy for small molecule detection was developed through nanopore actuation. The new platform engineers together, a highly selective molecular recognition element, aptamers, and a novel signal amplification mechanism, gated nanopores. As a proof of concept, aptamer gated silica nanoparticles have been successfully used as a sensing platform for the detection of ATP concentrations at a wide linear range from 100 μM up to 2 mM.