The Evolving Role of Proteins in Wearable Sweat Biosensors

Abstract

Sweat is an increasingly popular biological medium for fitness monitoring and clinical diagnostics. It contains an abundance of biological information and is available continuously and noninvasively. Sweat-sensing devices often employ proteins in various capacities to create skin-friendly matrices that accurately extract valuable and time-sensitive information from sweat. Proteins were first used in sensors as biorecognition elements in the form of enzymes and antibodies, which are now being tuned to operate at ranges relevant for sweat. In addition, a range of structural proteins, sometimes assembled in conjunction with polymers, can provide flexible and compatible matrices for skin sensors. Other proteins also naturally possess a range of functionalitiesas adhesives, charge conductors, fluorescence emitters, and power generatorsthat can make them useful components in wearable devices. Here, we examine the four main components of wearable sweat sensorsthe biorecognition element, the transducer, the scaffold, and the adhesive and the roles that proteins have played so far, or promise to play in the future, in each component. On a case-by-case basis, we analyze the performance characteristics of existing protein-based devices, their applicable ranges of detection, their transduction mechanism and their mechanical properties. Thereby, we review and compare proteins that can readily be used in sweat sensors and others that will require further efforts to overcome design, stability or scalability challenges. Incorporating proteins in one or multiple components of sweat sensors could lead to the development and deployment of tunable, greener, and safer biosourced devices.

Review on Healthcare Biosensing Nanomaterials

“…Numerous glucose, lactate, and uric acid biosensors have been effectively incorporated into wearable platforms, including watches, glasses, and mouthguards. , They can be used in addition to more conventional diagnostic procedures like blood testing, which offers ease and ongoing health monitoring with reduced infection risks . With the growing use of mobile devices, wearable biosensor-based mobile healthcare has become one of the most promising technologies for achieving individualized healthcare and relieving the strain on clinical resources . The flexibility factor is a fundamental part of these devices, and some polymeric materials have been identified as the best options for constructing flexible substrates.…”

“…267 With the growing use of mobile devices, wearable biosensor-based mobile healthcare has become one of the most promising technologies for achieving individualized healthcare and relieving the strain on clinical resources. 268 The flexibility factor is a fundamental part of these devices, and some polymeric materials have been identified as the best options for constructing flexible substrates. Furthermore, conductivity is a crucial factor that is much desired while designing such biosensors.…”

Transducer Technologies for Biosensors and Their Wearable Applications

“…Biological molecules such as enzymes, nucleic acids, antibodies, or their synthetic analogues can serve as bio-receptors to bind the analyte of interest. To form a biosensor device that detects or measures the biological events or changes, the targeted matching of the bio-receptor and the analyte should be evaluated quantitatively, making the transducers indispensable components of a biosensor [ 5 , 6 ]. Availability of various bio-receptors, transducers, and possible combinations of both components constitute various ways to classify biosensors ( Figure 1 ).…”

A Mini-Review on Reflectins, from Biochemical Properties to Bio-Inspired Applications

“…In a biochemical scope, Dr. Morse and his colleagues have accomplished brilliant works and reviewed relevant basic studies [ 14 ]. From the perspective of bio-inspired applications, Chatterjee et al sorted out efforts to apply reflectins as materials to establish color-changing coatings and devices [ 26 ], which is also briefly mentioned by some other reviews [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. However, the relationship between the biological prototypes and these man-made systems is poorly considered.…”