Biosensor Technologies in Medicine: from Detection of Biochemical Markers to Research into Molecular Targets (Review)

Abstract

Infections are a major cause of premature death. Fast and accurate laboratory diagnostics of infectious diseases is a key condition for the timely initiation and success of treatment. Potentially, it can reduce morbidity, as well as prevent the outbreak and spread of dangerous epidemics. The traditional methods of laboratory diagnostics of infectious diseases are quite time- and labour-consuming, require expensive equipment and trained personnel, which is crucial within limited resources. The fast biosensor-based methods that combine the diagnostic capabilities of biomedicine with modern technological advances in microelectronics, optoelectronics, and nanotechnology make an alternative. The modern achievements in the development of label-free biosensors make them promising diagnostic tools that combine rapid detection of specific molecular markers, simplicity, ease-of-use, efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness with the tendency to the development of portable platforms. These qualities exceed the generally accepted standards of microbiological and immunological diagnostics and open up broad prospects for using these analytical systems in clinical practice directly at the site of medical care provision (point-of-care, POC concept). A wide variety of modern biosensor designs are based on the use of diverse formats of analytical and technological strategies, identification of various regulatory and functional molecular markers associated with infectious pathogens. The solution to the existing problems in biosensing will open up great prospects for these rapidly developing diagnostic biotechnologies.

Advances in the application of molecular diagnostic techniques for the detection of infectious disease pathogens (Review)

“…Sheng et al ( 116 ) developed a label-free biosensor with an RNA aptamer for the sensitive, rapid quantitative detection of food pathogens without the isolation, purification and enrichment processes. A further study found that optical label-free biosensors can detect and quantify MTB, mycobacterial proteins and interferons quickly and efficiently, making them beneficial for the early detection of tuberculosis ( 117 ). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a molecular diagnostic technique used to detect and localize specific nucleic acid sequences in cells.…”

Biosensors in Food and Healthcare Industries: Bio-Coatings Based on Biogenic Nanoparticles and Biopolymers

“…Humankind experiences a death toll of around 2 million lives yearly from increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics and viral infections [9]. An increasing need to develop new diagnostic tools for better detection of pathogens was revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Briefly, biosensors are devices used to analyse the concentration of a specific target component with the help of a sensitive biological element. They can detect, record, and transmit selective, quantitative, or semi-quantitative analytical information about biochemical reactions [9]. A biosensor includes a substrate, typically paper, glass, or silicon.…”

Emerging biotechnology applications in natural product and synthetic pharmaceutical analyses

“…Biosensors are small integrated analytical devices consisting of biological components in close contact with physical sensors that convert the biometric process to measurable signals. They provide specific quantitative or semi-quantitative analytical information using biometric elements that convert information from the biological domain into chemical or physical output signals 77 , 78 , 79 .…”