Sensors and Actuators Reports最新文献

{"title":"Biosensors for epigenetic biomarker detection: Recent advances and perspectives","authors":"Yuqi Huang ,&nbsp;Changlong He ,&nbsp;Zhongping Chen,&nbsp;Mingjun Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2026.100448","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2026.100448","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene function without alterations in the nucleotide sequence, with enzymatic methylation being a central regulatory mechanism. Aberrant methylation of DNA, RNA, and proteins is closely linked to developmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer progression, making these modifications critical biomarkers. However, conventional detection methods such as bisulfite conversion, mass spectrometry, and northern blotting are often hindered by complex procedures, lengthy protocols, and sensitivity limitations. To overcome these challenges, a variety of biosensing platforms—including colorimetric, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), electrochemical (EC), and fluorescent sensors—have been developed. These technologies enable simple, rapid, high-throughput, and highly sensitive detection of epigenetic biomarkers, offering significant potential for clinical diagnosis, drug development, and cancer therapy. This review summarizes recent advances in the field of epigenetic biomarkers, with a focus on the design principles, performance, and applications of various bioanalytical sensors. We compare their working mechanisms, analytical merits, and practical utility in detecting DNA methylation, histone modifications, RNA modifications (e.g., m⁶A), and related non-coding RNAs. Finally, we outline emerging trends and future challenges in this rapidly evolving area of biosensor research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100448"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146184648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cascaded and autocatalytic dumbbell probe for exponentially amplified and label-free highly-sensitive fluorescent biosensing of miRNA from cancer cells","authors":"Min Zhong ,&nbsp;Nianting Xiao ,&nbsp;Yaqin Tang ,&nbsp;Yu Liu ,&nbsp;Xiao Guo ,&nbsp;Chunyuan Gan ,&nbsp;Wenli Wu ,&nbsp;Lian Yi ,&nbsp;Daxiu Li","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2026.100434","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2026.100434","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>miRNAs are valuable biomarkers for cancer diagnostics, but their low abundance and miRNAs are valuable biomarkers for cancer diagnostics, but their low abundance and sequence similarity pose challenges for reliable detection. The hybridization chain reaction mediated by a DNAzyme has been combined with the rolling circle amplification (HCRD-RCA) to develop an exponentially amplified, label-free, and highly sensitive detection method for miRNA-21. Within this framework, the miRNA-21 target sets off a hybridization chain reaction to produce a DNAzyme that cleaves hairpins and releases S1. Subsequently, S1 induces rolling circle amplification on a dumbbell probe with dual binding sites, whilst regenerating the DNAzyme to establish an autocatalytic cycle. The dual-site dumbbell probe facilitates the exponential generation of G-quadruplex structures, which bind to thioflavin T, resulting in strong fluorescence without the need for labeling. This method achieves an ultralow detection limit of 0.155 fM, excellent mismatch discrimination, and reliable performance in complex matrices. Furthermore, it quantifies miRNA-21 in serum and clearly distinguishes expression differences between MCF-7 and HeLa cells. Overall, this cascaded and autocatalytic platform offers a robust tool for the early detection of cancer and precise analysis of miRNA in biological samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100434"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145920698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CRISPR-on-beads: A simple and sensitive assay for detection of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus","authors":"Jiaxiang Ye ,&nbsp;Li Liu ,&nbsp;Ruonan Peng ,&nbsp;Fengjun Xu ,&nbsp;Yujie Men ,&nbsp;Ke Du","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100418","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100418","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>CRISPR/Cas12a, recognized for its high efficiency and specificity in nucleic acid recognition, has found extensive applications in infectious disease sensing. Nonetheless, a significant challenge persists in devising a simple method for the rapid, convenient, and accurate visualization of detection results. In this study, we demonstrate an innovative and simple CRISPR-on-beads assay for visual detection of methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MRSA). This approach combines isothermal target amplification, CRISPR/LbCas12a-mediated cleavage, and magnetic bead-based probe binding for signal amplification, enabling rapid and convenient identification of bacterial DNA. Our results show that this detection method exhibits both high sensitivity and specificity, with a detection limit as low as 30 CFU/μL. This newly developed biosensing approach can easily be integrated with a portable fluorescence microscope for medical diagnostics in resource-limited settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100418"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145921157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Polymer nanofiber-based electrodes for tyrosinase detection in melanoma diagnosis","authors":"Nazanin Poursharifi ,&nbsp;Dariush Semnani ,&nbsp;Hossein Fashandi ,&nbsp;Ali A. Ensafi ,&nbsp;Alireza Sanati ,&nbsp;Onur Parlak","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100416","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100416","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rising global incidence of melanoma and its high mortality rates due to late diagnosis demand rapid, sensitive, and non-invasive diagnostic tools. Here, we introduce a disposable electrochemical biosensor that exploits the synergistic properties of electrospun polyamide 6 (PA6) and conductive polypyrrole (PPy) nanofibers for detecting tyrosinase (Tyr). The biosensor integrates the high surface area and tunable morphology of PA6 nanofibers (random and aligned) with highly conductive PPy, fabricated via electrospinning, and polymerization onto indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes to ensure selective Tyr binding. Electrochemical testing in synthetic interstitial fluid (ISF) and human serum reveals a linear response to Tyr (0.1–0.9 mg/mL), with the aligned nanofiber configuration achieving high limits of detection (LOD) of 0.03 mg/mL (ISF) and 0.029 mg/mL (serum), alongside sensitivities of 95.97 and 76.60 μA·mg⁻¹·mL·cm⁻², respectively. The concentration-dependent current response highlights the biosensor’s high sensitivity, stability, and biocompatibility, proving its potential for non-invasive, early-stage melanoma detection in complex biological environments. This work paves the way for scalable, cost-effective melanoma screening, with future studies aimed at clinical validation and integration into point-of-care devices to improve patient outcomes globally.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100416"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145735022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"RNA detection on a microfluidic platform using Thyclotides","authors":"Harsha Amarasekara ,&nbsp;Riley Lehman ,&nbsp;Paniz Rezvan Sangsari ,&nbsp;Nicole Y. Morgan ,&nbsp;Brian O'Farrell ,&nbsp;Daniel H. Appella","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100410","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100410","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nucleic acid detection is commonly used to diagnose pathogenic and genetic diseases. Diagnostics based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are routinely used to amplify and signal the presence of a target nucleic acid, but PCR-based methods are difficult to deploy at the patient’s point-of-care and in resource-limited environments. This study reports a novel nucleic acid detection assay that utilizes chemically modified PNAs to directly detect a target RNA without enzymatic amplification. By incorporating <em>trans</em>-3,4-diaminotetrahydrofuran units into a PNA backbone, THF-PNAs (also called thyclotides) were designed with both enhanced binding affinity to target nucleic acids and bio-orthogonal properties that promote thyclotide-to-thyclotide binding over nucleic acid binding. Specifically, incorporation of <em>R,R</em>-THF monomers within the thyclotide backbone promotes a right-handed helix favoring binding to target nucleic acids. Bio-orthogonal thyclotide containing <em>S,S</em>-THF monomers promotes a left-handed helix, preventing their binding to natural nucleic acids. Complementary bio-orthogonal thyclotides can bind to each other in the presence of competing RNA sequences, and these unique properties were used in combination with gold nanoparticles to develop a detection signal. By employing both THF stereochemistries in different thyclotide sequences, a prototype microfluidic assay was developed to detect synthetic HIV-1 RNA and signal its presence using silver-based enhancement of surface-bound gold nanoparticles. The limit of detection for this assay was 0.5 pM of synthetic HIV-1 RNA, which is a significant (∼100-fold) improvement over earlier PNA-based detection systems. Concentration-dependent variation in detection signal intensity allows for semi-quantitative determination of different RNA concentrations. A scrambled RNA control sequence does not interfere with detection. All results were obtained without using enzymatic amplification. The thyclotides in this study may be used in more advanced diagnostic technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100410"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent advances in electrochemical analysis of phenylurea herbicides","authors":"Ranil C. T․ Temgoua,&nbsp;Jan Lisec,&nbsp;Matthias Koch","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100431","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100431","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phenylurea herbicides (PUHs) are extensively used in modern agriculture due to their high efficiency in weed control; however, their widespread application has led to persistent environmental contamination and growing public health concerns. Reliable, sensitive, and selective analytical methods are therefore essential for monitoring these compounds in environmental and food matrices. Although several recent reviews have addressed electrochemical sensors and biosensors for a broad range of pollutants, there is currently no dedicated review focusing exclusively on PUHs while integrating electrochemical sensors, biosensors, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), and electrochemical detection coupled with liquid chromatography (LC). This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of electrochemical strategies developed for the analysis of PUHs. Core electroanalytical techniques, including cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), and chronoamperometry (CA), are discussed in terms of their fundamental principles, analytical roles, and suitability for mechanistic investigation, quantitative determination, and rapid screening. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is also examined, particularly for its application in the characterization of electrode interfaces and in electrochemical biosensor development. Furthermore, the integration of electrochemical methods with mass spectrometry is highlighted as a powerful approach for elucidating redox mechanisms and identifying electrochemical transformation products. More than one hundred electrochemical sensors and biosensors reported between 1993 and 2025 are critically evaluated, with emphasis on electrode materials, surface modification strategies, detection mechanisms, analytical performance, and applicability to real samples. The advantages and limitations of electrochemical sensors, biosensors, and MIP-based platforms are systematically discussed in the context of sensitivity, selectivity, response time, and matrix effects. By synthesizing current advances and identifying remaining challenges, this review aims to provide clear guidance for future research and to support the development of robust, efficient, and application-oriented electrochemical methods for PUHs analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100431"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145972831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Research progress of fluorescent probes about accurate inspection of phosphates for food safety and biological evaluation","authors":"Ying Qiu ,&nbsp;Yi Xie ,&nbsp;Xinye Lin ,&nbsp;Qinshu Zhang ,&nbsp;Chongrong Ke ,&nbsp;Daliang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2026.100438","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2026.100438","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phosphate ions, the primary existence of phosphorus in nature, play a vital role in various aspects of human life. In the human body, phosphate ions exist in forms such as phospholipids, nucleotides and phosphates. However, excessively high concentrations of phosphate can pose serious risks to human health. Therefore, the development of reliable and sensitive fluorescent detection techniques for phosphate ions is crucial for environmental monitoring, human health, and public hygiene. This review provides a concise overview of the current state of fluorescent detection technologies, with a focus on the principles of detection, underlying mechanisms, and recent advancements. The primary aim of this review is to comprehensively discuss recent progress in the design and synthesis of fluorescent probes for phosphate ions based on organic small molecules, nanoparticles, and metal-organic polymers, as well as their successful applications across various fields. Furthermore, it explores future prospects in the design and investigation of such probes, which may contribute to the development of novel fluorescent sensors for phosphate ions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100438"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges and strategies for CRISPR-Cas molecular diagnostics from mechanism to clinical translation","authors":"Jian Zhou ,&nbsp;Na Zhang ,&nbsp;Ying-jie Ren ,&nbsp;Xue-mei Ren ,&nbsp;Xin Wang ,&nbsp;Xing-chun Gou ,&nbsp;Akiteru Goto ,&nbsp;Shigeharu Ueki ,&nbsp;Subash C.B. Gopinath ,&nbsp;Ke-ming Chen ,&nbsp;Zhuo Li","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2026.100437","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2026.100437","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>CRISPR-Cas systems offer transformative potential for molecular diagnostics, overcoming limitations in portability, multiplexing, and point-of-care applicability inherent in conventional methods like PCR. This review systematically examines CRISPR-Cas detection technologies. It classifies key Cas enzymes based on their distinct cis- and trans-cleavage mechanisms and sequence preferences, outlining their roles in detecting nucleic acid and non-nucleic acid targets. Comprehensive strategies for optimizing detection performance are detailed, including Cas protein engineering for high-fidelity variants, crRNA engineering using artificial Intelligence design and structural modifications, sample pretreatment methods for target enrichment, and reaction system refinements integrating isothermal amplification and digital partitioning. Signal enhancement strategies enable diverse readouts through fluorescence, electrochemistry, lateral flow, and smartphone-based detection, while stability improvements involve lyophilization and thermostable engineering. The diverse applications evaluated span infectious disease diagnosis for pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 and antimicrobial resistance, precision oncology including liquid biopsy, genetic disease screening for SNPs and aneuploidy, and chronic/immune disease management for biomarkers such as cytokines. Platforms like SHERLOCK and DETECTR have achieved regulatory approvals. The review critically analyzes challenges for enhancing efficiency, including balancing sensitivity and specificity, integrating workflows, establishing standardized protocols, ensuring reproducibility, reducing costs, and addressing ethical considerations. These analyses establish a foundation for the clinical translation and commercialization of CRISPR-Cas molecular diagnostics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100437"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surface-engineered polymer brush gate electrodes enable high-sensitivity label-free glucose detection via organic electrochemical transistor","authors":"Tingfang Bai ,&nbsp;Wenfeng Hai ,&nbsp;Ying Ying ,&nbsp;Jiaxin Liu ,&nbsp;Xinying Guo ,&nbsp;Jinghai Liu ,&nbsp;Yushuang Liu ,&nbsp;Ai Jun","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100427","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100427","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Non-enzymatic glucose detection remains challenging due to poor selectivity and instability in complex biological environments. Here, we developed an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) incorporating a CH₂Cl₂-derived poly(EDOT-FPBA) gate to enhance glucose sensing performance.</div><div>A solvent-controlled electropolymerization strategy was employed to construct an ordered polymer-brush architecture, enabling efficient ion transport and improved exposure of boronic-acid recognition sites. Structural and electrical characterizations confirmed the brush-like morphology and its strong gate modulation capability. The device exhibited a pronounced gate-voltage shift(ΔV_G) of ≈82.0 mV, a broad linear range (0.001–40 mmol⸱L^-1), and a low detection limit (5.6 µmol⸱L^-1), with interference below 15%, repeatability within a relative standard deviation of 4.6%, and serum recoveries of 92.0–107.4%. This strategy provides a promising route for developing low-voltage, enzyme-free OECT for reliable glucose monitoring in complex biological systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100427"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145921166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"AI-assisted design and application of wound dressings","authors":"Jiekai Guan ,&nbsp;Zuhao Li ,&nbsp;Huayue Hu ,&nbsp;Jiye He,&nbsp;Guiquan Cai,&nbsp;Dongliang Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100414","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snr.2025.100414","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rising prevalence of wounds from various causes has highlighted the challenge of addressing their complex microenvironments. Conventional design and manufacturing methods of dressings face difficulties in achieving optimal performance and often fall short of meeting specific needs, emphasizing the urgent demand for functional alternatives. With advancements in science and technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool to address these issues. AI offers the potential to optimize dressing design and fabrication, enabling precise targeting of complex wound environments. This review provides an overview of AI-assisted wound dressing technologies, focusing on their design methodologies and applications. It categorizes dressings by material types and explores existing AI-assisted strategies for improving their functionality. We also discuss the limitations of traditional approaches, the potential of AI to overcome these barriers, and future directions for integrating AI into wound care. In conclusion, the development of AI-assisted wound dressings is expected to transform the field. It will enhance our understanding of wound-specific requirements, improve dressing functionality, and support personalized treatment strategies, ultimately paving the way for clinical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":426,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators Reports","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100414"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145921244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}