Abstract

Recent Trends and Applications of Nanomaterial-based Biosensing Systems

Arben Merkoçi, ICREA Professor And Group Leader, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience And Nanotechnology

The need for point of care diagnostic tests has increased enormously in the last years. Nanomaterials (i.e. nanoparticles, nanotubes, graphene etc.), thanks to their optical and electrochemical properties, are bringing significant advantages in the design and application of novel biosensing systems with interest for diagnostics and other sensing applications. Nanomaterials-based biosensors, known also as nanobiosensors, are shown to be excellent alternatives for such applications. Nanobiosensors seem to be efficient, fast, low-cost and user-friendly analytical devices. Several examples related to DNA, protein, cancer cells or contaminants detections based on the use of nanomaterials will be described. The developed devices use simple and low cost platforms, both plastics and paper, easily handled in point of care sensing and diagnostics. They take advantage of both enhanced electrochemical (i.e. electrocatalytic) or optical (i.e. light absorbance) properties of nanomaterials. In addition lab-on-a-chip platforms that integrate nanomaterials, either as detector phase or as signaling labels to achieve very low detection limits with interest for diagnostics or environment monitoring have been developed. Finally some applications of micro/nanomotors as tools to enhance the performance of biosensing technologies will also be shown.