Sujuan Yu , Nuoyi Huang , Yujian Lai , Zhan Wu , Qingcun Li , Rui Liu , Jingfu Liu
{"title":"Environmental behavior and analytical strategies of metal-doped nanoplastics: From labeling techniques to single-particle tracking","authors":"Sujuan Yu , Nuoyi Huang , Yujian Lai , Zhan Wu , Qingcun Li , Rui Liu , Jingfu Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118408","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118408","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Due to the small size, diverse compositions, and interferences from natural carbon-containing particles, tracking the fate and transport of nanoplastics (NPs) in environments and living organisms remains a challenge. Metal-doped NPs have emerged as a powerful proxy for tracking NP dynamics in complex systems. This review systematically examines current advances in the synthesis and applications of metal-doped NPs. We first discuss fundamental principles for selecting appropriate metal tags based on detection sensitivity, environmental stability, and biological compatibility. Subsequently, we critically evaluate various metal-doping strategies, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Next, the applications of metal doped-NPs are discussed, including studying environmental processes of NPs, tracing the uptake and distribution of NPs in plants and animals, and assessing the heterogeneity of NPs in cells. Finally, we identify key challenges in current methodologies and propose future research directions. Metal-doped NPs have significantly advanced our understanding of NP behaviors in environmental and biological systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 118408"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144813836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Laser-scribed micro/nanostructures modified surfaces for electrochemical sensors: From fundamentals to applications","authors":"Supratim Mahapatra, Rohini Kumari, Daphika S. Dkhar, Ankur Singh, Pranjal Chandra","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118407","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118407","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Laser scribing has emerged as a transformative technique in surface nanostructuring, redefining the fabrication of high-performance electrochemical sensors. Leveraging the superior precision characteristics, it enables rapid and sustainable generation of nanoscale features on diverse materials to significantly enhance the overall sensitivity, selectivity, and stability of a sensor. The direct laser structuring process offers tunable porosity, controlled defect density, and enhanced charge transfer kinetics, making laser-engraved electrodes highly effective for broader molecular sensing applications. This article explores the fundamental mechanisms of laser-induced nanostructuring, exploring the diverse morphologies achievable through this technique as well as subsequent nanoengineering on them and their impact on sensor functionality. It also examines the integration of laser-engraved sensors with microfluidic systems, highlighting their potential in multiplexed point-of-care diagnostics and lab-on-a-chip devices. In contrast to all such advancements, this review also addresses the major challenges that pose critical barriers to commercialization of this technique. It also discusses future prospects for overcoming them, including the development of alternative substrate materials and optimization of laser parameters. By harnessing the power of laser engraving, researchers are pushing the boundaries of sensor capabilities, paving the way for more accurate, reliable, and versatile sensing devices. These innovations hold immense promise for applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and biomedical research, marking a significant step forward in the field of nanotechnology and biosensing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 118407"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144810408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jinbiao Ma , Xiaoyin Liu , Yunrui Zhang , Yunxiao Wang , Jingyu Wu , Baiqi Cui , Qingjun Liu , Di Wang , Fenni Zhang
{"title":"Advances in imaging-based digital sensing for biomedical analysis","authors":"Jinbiao Ma , Xiaoyin Liu , Yunrui Zhang , Yunxiao Wang , Jingyu Wu , Baiqi Cui , Qingjun Liu , Di Wang , Fenni Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118406","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118406","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Traditional biomedical analysis faces significant limitations in accurately quantifying trace biomolecules in complex matrices due to its reliance on signal averaging. The advent of imaging-based digital sensing technologies has revolutionized this field by transforming averaged analog signals into discrete, countable digital events, thereby enabling ultra-sensitive detection, absolute quantification, and enhanced tolerance to background noise. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in imaging-based digital sensing techniques and systematically categorize them into two major categories: endpoint static quantification and real-time dynamic monitoring. For static quantification, we examine sample digitization methods (e.g., microchamber, microdroplet compartmentalization) and signal digitization strategies (e.g., patterned interfaces, discrete microcarriers). For dynamic monitoring, we explore techniques employing far-field, near-field imaging, and external field modulation to resolve single-molecule interactions and dynamic biochemical processes digitally. We present the fundamental principles, representative technologies, and key biomedical applications of these methods, and critically discuss current limitations and future directions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 118406"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144810407","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qiyi He , Junkang Pan , Yijia Zhang , Zhihao Xu , Christophe Morisseau , Bruce D. Hammock , Dongyang Li
{"title":"Multifunctional nanobody fusion proteins in Immunoassays: Diverse strategies for enhanced analytical performance","authors":"Qiyi He , Junkang Pan , Yijia Zhang , Zhihao Xu , Christophe Morisseau , Bruce D. Hammock , Dongyang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118404","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118404","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nanobodies, derived from camelid heavy-chain antibodies, offer exceptional specificity, stability, and solubility, enabling rapid and sensitive immunoassays. Their small size makes them ideal scaffolds for genetic fusion with reporter proteins, functional peptides, and signal amplification modules. In contrast to conventional antibodies, nanobodies can be precisely engineered at the gene level, allowing directional conjugation and efficient incorporation of signal-enhancing elements. This tunability simplifies assay design and reduces processing steps. Additionally, recombinant expression systems enable stable, scalable, and standardized production of nanobody-based immunoreagents, ensuring reproducibility in diagnostics. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the engineering and application of nanobody fusion proteins in immunoassays, with a particular focus on three main strategies: signal reporting, site-oriented strategies, and multivalency. We highlight how these approaches enhance sensitivity, shorten assay time, and enable multiplex detection. Finally, we discuss future perspectives and remaining challenges in the design and application of nanobody-based platforms for diagnostics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 118404"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144757727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Baomei Zhou , Yun Han , Rui Song, Juan Hu, Chun-yang Zhang
{"title":"Recent advance in nucleic acid amplification-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering for in vitro and in vivo biosensing","authors":"Baomei Zhou , Yun Han , Rui Song, Juan Hu, Chun-yang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118405","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118405","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a highly effective optical analysis technology with distinct advantages of narrow spectral bandwidth, resistance to photobleaching, fast response, and low background signal. The combination of SERS technology with nucleic acid amplification facilitates <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> detection of DNAs, RNAs, ionics, antibiotics, toxins, antigens, enzymes, proteins, extracellular vesicles (EVs), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and bacteria with excellent sensitivity and good selectivity. In this review, we give a comprehensive overview about the progress in developing nucleic acid amplification-based SERS methods for <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> biosensing. Nucleic acid amplification is divided into enzyme-catalyzed amplification (e.g., polymerases and nucleases), enzyme-free-catalyzed amplification (e.g., hybridization chain reaction (HCR), catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA), entropy-driven catalytic (EDC) and DNAzyme), and their combinations. This review summarizes the sensing mechanism, features and practical applications of nucleic acid amplification-based SERS methods, and discusses the challenges and future prospects in this field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 118405"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144763999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent advances in suspension microarray-based multiplexed biosensing technologies integrated with fluorescence signal amplification","authors":"Wookyoung Jang, E Loomee Song, Ki Wan Bong","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118397","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118397","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A wide range of bioanalytes, such as nucleic acids and proteins, can be simultaneously detected using a suspension microarray. Since these analytes reveal diverse physiological and genetic features, the suspension microarray can contribute to comprehensive applications, including diagnosis and omics. However, conventional suspension microarray retains limited sensitivity due to low detection signals. Recently, diverse fluorescence signal amplification (FSA) strategies have been integrated with the suspension microarray platform to enhance sensitivity and broaden its applicability. This review aims to comprehensively address the recent progress of the FSA-based suspension microarray technologies. After elaborating on the basic concept of the suspension microarray, we introduce diverse FSA-based suspension microarray platforms and discuss their pros and cons. In addition, the diverse practical applications achieved through the FSA-based suspension microarray are co-addressed. Finally, we discuss the future direction of the FSA-based suspension microarray, including the construction of an on-site detection platform and machine learning-assisted integrative analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 118397"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144763998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xin Gao , Sihang Zhang , Wei Zeng , Yu Han , Yiping Chen , Long Wu
{"title":"Towards the development of SERS-based immunosensors for detection of biotoxins: Advances and challenges","authors":"Xin Gao , Sihang Zhang , Wei Zeng , Yu Han , Yiping Chen , Long Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118402","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118402","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biotoxins, which are diverse in type and potent in toxicity, are prevalent in food and pose a serious threat to human health. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology has attracted considerable attention in the field of biosensing due to its ultra-high sensitivity and specificity. When combined with immunoassay models, SERS immunosensors demonstrate significant potential for trace amounts detection of biotoxins. In this review, we first introduce the principles of SERS technology, then discuss the design principles of SERS immunosensors. In addition, we summarize several typical cases of SERS-based immunosensors for biotoxin detection. Finally, we outline the future challenges and trends in the field, emphasizing the importance of SERS stability and reproducibility, and reducing costs to advance the real applications. This review provides crucial insights and valuable information for researchers in food safety and points the way forward for the development of future biotoxins detection technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 118402"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144757726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Multiplex non-invasive biomarkers profiling using smart DNA biosensors: recent trends in breast cancer metastasis diagnosis","authors":"Noshin Afshan, Yuna Guo, Jin Jiao","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118395","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118395","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>DNA nanotechnology offers a powerful approach for early diagnosis by enabling efficient biomarker recognition, signal amplification, and streamlined analysis. This review explores the potential of multiplex biomarker detection, highlighting advancements in multiplex-target miRNAs, mRNAs, miRNA-mRNA analysis, exosomal targets, proteins, and miRNA-protein interactions. The multi-target approach, coupled with DNA nanotechnology, enhances sensitivity, specificity, and simplicity in diagnostics, facilitating timely clinical interventions. This review categorizes the analytical methods for multiplex biomarker detection, distinguishing between <em>ex situ</em> and <em>in situ</em> techniques. <em>Ex situ</em> detection is ideal for large-scale screenings, while <em>in situ</em> offers precise spatial data. By integrating insights from recent literature, this review aims to demonstrate the potential of these biosensors in revolutionizing diagnostic practices and improving patient outcomes. Ultimately, it underscores the remarkable potential of multiplex biomarkers and DNA nanotechnology in precision medicine, reflecting recent advancements in early detection, disease monitoring, and personalized therapeutic strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 118395"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144750783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent advancements in parallel and tandem reaction-based fluorogenic probes for tracing enzymatic activities","authors":"Jagpreet Singh Sidhu , Kanupriya Singh , Gurjot Kaur , Debasis Das","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118396","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118396","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Optical imaging is a non-invasive and indispensable technique for tracing enzymatic activities at a molecular level. However, unintended activation or off-target accumulation of imaging probes often leads to false-positive signals. Moreover, the use of multiple fluorophores to detect distinct biomarkers is limited by variability in cellular uptake and subcellular localization within complex biological environments. To address these deficiencies, multi-locked fluorogenic probes have been developed to target multiple biomarkers simultaneously. These probes typically employ parallel or tandem-locked configuration, wherein enzyme-specific substrates quench the fluorescence of reporter motifs until activation occurs. Recent advancements in multi-locked probes have revealed many opportunities for advancing non-invasive diagnostic chemical tools. This review systematically compiles recent progress in the development of enzyme-responsive dually locked probes for bio-imaging applications. It provides a comprehensive analysis of their underlying mechanisms and design strategies. The review concludes with a summary of current achievements and future perspectives in this rapidly evolving field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 118396"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144750784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Characterization and quantification of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, anti-drug antibodies and their interactions for clinical applications","authors":"Lola Alez-Martin , Emilie Hirschler , Pascal Houzé , Noëlle Potier , Nathalie Mignet , Emmanuelle Leize-Wagner , Yannis-Nicolas François , Rabah Gahoual","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118385","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118385","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are experiencing tremendous developments in terms of novel approved products and applications fields. Nonetheless, after administration, mAbs are submitted to a significant number of biological phenomena that may affect their quantity, structure and potency. Moreover, as mAbs are not exempt from adverse effects they can trigger immune responses leading to the expression of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs), potentially impacting their efficacy. This critical review details the different analytical techniques used for the characterization and quantification of mAbs and ADAs in different contexts from routine therapeutic drug monitoring to advanced clinical investigations. In addition, state-of-art approaches providing information regarding mAbs/antigen or mAbs/ADAs interaction such as binding affinities are described through impactful applications. Different analytical approaches are discussed including binding assays like ELISA and chemiluminescent immunoassay. Similarly, molecular interaction analyses are detailed like surface plasmon resonance and mass photometry. Finally, cutting-edge mass spectrometry-based analytical methods are presented with prior liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis separation, including the sample purification strategies required for the analysis of biological samples. Thus, the critical review discusses the technical requirements, advantages and limitations of the different analytical techniques in order to position them depending on the context and information required.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 118385"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144841923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}