Timothy A Okhai, Kefilwe V Mokwebo, Marlon Oranzie, Usisipho Feleni, Lukas W Snyman
{"title":"Immunosensor Enhanced with Silver Nanocrystals for On-Chip Prostate-Specific Antigen Detection.","authors":"Timothy A Okhai, Kefilwe V Mokwebo, Marlon Oranzie, Usisipho Feleni, Lukas W Snyman","doi":"10.3390/bios15070428","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070428","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>An electrochemical immunosensor for the quantification of prostate-specific antigens (PSAs) using silver nanocrystals (AgNCs) is reported. The silver nanocrystals were synthesized using a conventional citrate reduction protocol. The silver nanocrystals were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field effect scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The proposed immunosensor was fabricated on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), sequentially, by drop-coating AgNCs, the electro-deposition of EDC-NHS, the immobilization of anti-PSA antibody (Ab), and dropping of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to prevent non-specific binding sites. Each stage of the fabrication process was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Using square wave voltammetry (SWV), the proposed immunosensor displayed high sensitivity in detecting PSA over a concentration range of 1 to 10 ng/mL with a detection limit of 1.14 ng/mL and R<sup>2</sup> of 0.99%. The immunosensor was selective in the presence of interfering substances like glucose, urea, L-cysteine, and alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) and it showed good stability and repeatability. These results compare favourably with some previously reported results on similar or related technologies for PSA detection.</p>","PeriodicalId":48608,"journal":{"name":"Biosensors-Basel","volume":"15 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144709545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stefania Bova, Serena Faggiano, Omar De Bei, Marialaura Marchetti, Stefano Bruno, Barbara Campanini, Stefano Bettati, Luca Ronda
{"title":"Labeled Bovine Serum Albumin as a Fluorescent Biosensor to Monitor the Stability of Lipid-Based Formulations.","authors":"Stefania Bova, Serena Faggiano, Omar De Bei, Marialaura Marchetti, Stefano Bruno, Barbara Campanini, Stefano Bettati, Luca Ronda","doi":"10.3390/bios15070425","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070425","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the pharmaceutical field, lipid-based nanoparticles are extensively used for drug or vaccine delivery, particularly for treating respiratory disorders. However, their physico-chemical instability, particularly associated with lipid degradation through hydrolysis or oxidation, can affect their encapsulation properties. To monitor the stability of lipid-based formulations over time, we prepared acrylodan-labeled bovine serum albumin (here called albuminodan), and showed it is a fluorescent biosensor capable of concomitantly detect phospholipids as well as their degradation products, i.e., fatty acids and lysophospholipids. We demonstrated that this tool can be used to follow the distribution of lipids in an aqueous phase and hence could be suitable to characterize the hydrolysis of phospholipids in a lipid-based formulation to monitor the stability of nanoparticles.</p>","PeriodicalId":48608,"journal":{"name":"Biosensors-Basel","volume":"15 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144709547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Protein, Nucleic Acid, and Nanomaterial Engineering for Biosensors and Monitoring.","authors":"Milica Crnoglavac Popović, Vesna Stanković, Dalibor Stanković, Radivoje Prodanović","doi":"10.3390/bios15070430","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070430","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The engineering of proteins, nucleic acids, and nanomaterials has significantly advanced the development of biosensors for the monitoring of rare diseases. These innovative biosensing technologies facilitate the early detection and management of conditions that often lack adequate diagnostic solutions. By utilizing engineered proteins and functional nucleic acids, such as aptamers and nucleic acid sensors, these biosensors can achieve high specificity in identifying the biomarkers associated with rare diseases. The incorporation of nanomaterials, like nanoparticles and nanosensors, enhances sensitivity and allows for the real-time monitoring of biochemical changes, which is critical for timely intervention. Moreover, integrating these technologies into wearable devices provides patients and healthcare providers with continuous monitoring capabilities, transforming the landscape of healthcare for rare diseases. The ability to detect low-abundance biomarkers in varied sample types, such as blood or saliva, can lead to breakthroughs in understanding disease pathways and personalizing treatment strategies. As the field continues to evolve, the combination of protein, nucleic acid, and nanomaterial engineering will play a crucial role in developing next-generation biosensors that are not only cost-effective but also easy to use, ultimately improving outcomes and the quality of life for individuals affected by rare diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":48608,"journal":{"name":"Biosensors-Basel","volume":"15 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144709561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Adil Mustafa, Antonella La Regina, Elisa Pedone, Ahmet Erten, Lucia Marucci
{"title":"A Novel Single-Layer Microfluidic Device for Dynamic Stimulation, Culture, and Imaging of Mammalian Cells.","authors":"Adil Mustafa, Antonella La Regina, Elisa Pedone, Ahmet Erten, Lucia Marucci","doi":"10.3390/bios15070427","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070427","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The possibility of tightly controlling the cellular microenvironment within microfluidic devices represents an important step toward precision analysis of cellular phenotypes in vitro. Microfluidic platforms that allow both long-term mammalian cell culture and dynamic modulation of the culture environment can support quantitative studies of cells' responses to drugs. Here, we report the design and testing of a novel microfluidic device of simple production (single Polydimethylsiloxane layer), which integrates a micromixer with vacuum-assisted cell loading for long-term mammalian cell culture and dynamic mixing of four different culture media. Finite element modeling was used to predict flow rates and device dimensions to achieve diffusion-based fluid mixing. The device showed efficient mixing and dynamic exchange of media in the cell-trapping chambers, and viability of mammalian cells cultured for long-term in the device. This work represents the first attempt to integrate single-layer microfluidic mixing devices with vacuum-assisted cell-loading systems for mammalian cell culture and dynamic stimulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":48608,"journal":{"name":"Biosensors-Basel","volume":"15 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144709509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Oscar Osorio Perez, Ngan Anh Nguyen, Landon Denham, Asher Hendricks, Rodrigo E Dominguez, Eun Ju Jeong, Marcio S Carvalho, Mateus Lima, Jarrett Eshima, Nanxi Yu, Barbara Smith, Shaopeng Wang, Doina Kulick, Erica Forzani
{"title":"A Microsphere-Based Sensor for Point-of-Care and Non-Invasive Acetone Detection.","authors":"Oscar Osorio Perez, Ngan Anh Nguyen, Landon Denham, Asher Hendricks, Rodrigo E Dominguez, Eun Ju Jeong, Marcio S Carvalho, Mateus Lima, Jarrett Eshima, Nanxi Yu, Barbara Smith, Shaopeng Wang, Doina Kulick, Erica Forzani","doi":"10.3390/bios15070429","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070429","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ketones, which are key biomarkers of fat oxidation, are relevant for metabolic health maintenance and disease development, making continuous monitoring essential. In this study, we introduce a novel colorimetric sensor designed for potential continuous acetone detection in biological fluids. The sensor features a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) shell that encapsulates a sensitive and specific liquid-core acetone-sensing probe. The microsphere sensors were characterized by evaluating their size, PDMS shell thickness, colorimetric response, and sensitivity under realistic conditions, including 100% relative humidity (RH) and CO<sub>2</sub> interference. The microsphere size and sensor sensitivity can be controlled by modifying the fabrication parameters. Critically, the sensor showed high selectivity for acetone detection, with negligible interference from CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations up to 4%. In addition, the sensor displayed good reproducibility (CV < 5%) and stability under realistic storage conditions (over two weeks at 4 °C). Finally, the accuracy of the microsphere sensor was validated against a gold standard gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method using simulated and real breath samples from healthy individuals and type 1 diabetes patients. The correlation between the microsphere sensor and GC-MS produced a linear fit with a slope of 0.948 and an adjusted R-squared value of 0.954. Therefore, the liquid-core microsphere-based sensor is a promising platform for acetone body fluid analysis.</p>","PeriodicalId":48608,"journal":{"name":"Biosensors-Basel","volume":"15 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144709507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Unified YOLOv8 Approach for Point-of-Care Diagnostics of Salivary <i>α</i>-Amylase.","authors":"Youssef Amin, Paola Cecere, Pier Paolo Pompa","doi":"10.3390/bios15070421","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070421","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Salivary α-amylase (sAA) is a widely recognized biomarker for stress and autonomic nervous system activity. However, conventional enzymatic assays used to quantify sAA are limited by time-consuming, lab-based protocols. In this study, we present a portable, AI-driven point-of-care system for automated sAA classification via colorimetric image analysis. The system integrates SCHEDA, a custom-designed imaging device providing and ensuring standardized illumination, with a deep learning pipeline optimized for mobile deployment. Two classification strategies were compared: (1) a modular YOLOv4-CNN architecture and (2) a unified YOLOv8 segmentation-classification model. The models were trained on a dataset of 1024 images representing an eight-class classification problem corresponding to distinct sAA concentrations. The results show that red-channel input significantly enhances YOLOv4-CNN performance, achieving 93.5% accuracy compared to 88% with full RGB images. The YOLOv8 model further outperformed both approaches, reaching 96.5% accuracy while simplifying the pipeline and enabling real-time, on-device inference. The system was deployed and validated on a smartphone, demonstrating consistent results in live tests. This work highlights a robust, low-cost platform capable of delivering fast, reliable, and scalable salivary diagnostics for mobile health applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":48608,"journal":{"name":"Biosensors-Basel","volume":"15 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144709514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sherwin Reyes, Raymarcos Rodriguez, Emre Dikici, Sylvia Daunert, Sapna Deo
{"title":"Bioluminescence in Clinical and Point-of-Care Testing.","authors":"Sherwin Reyes, Raymarcos Rodriguez, Emre Dikici, Sylvia Daunert, Sapna Deo","doi":"10.3390/bios15070422","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070422","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Point-of-care testing (POCT) offers a transformative approach to diagnostics by enabling rapid and accurate results at or near the site of patient care. This is especially valuable in critical care, emergency settings, and resource-limited areas. However, one major limitation of POCT remains its analytical sensitivity, particularly in detecting low concentrations of analytes. To address this, various innovations are being explored, including advanced sensors, signal amplification, and sensitive labels. Among these, bioluminescent proteins have gained attention for their high sensitivity, fast readout, minimal background interference, and simplified instrumentation. Bioluminescence-light emission from biochemical reactions-presents an ideal platform for enhancing POCT sensitivity. In parallel, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), especially structures like ZIF-8, are emerging as valuable materials in biosensing. Their high porosity, tunable surface properties, and ability to host biomolecules make them excellent candidates for improving analyte capture and signal transduction. When integrated with bioluminescent systems, MOFs can stabilize proteins, concentrate targets, and enhance overall assay performance. This review highlights the role of bioluminescent proteins in medical diagnostics and their application in POCT platforms. We also discuss the potential synergy between MOFs and bioluminescence to overcome current sensitivity limitations. Finally, we examine existing challenges and strategies to optimize these technologies for robust, field-deployable diagnostic tools. By leveraging both the natural sensitivity of bioluminescence and the structural advantages of MOFs, next-generation POCT systems can achieve superior performance, driving forward diagnostic accessibility and patient care outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":48608,"journal":{"name":"Biosensors-Basel","volume":"15 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144709520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent Advances in Flexible Sensors for Neural Interfaces: Multimodal Sensing, Signal Integration, and Closed-Loop Feedback.","authors":"Siyi Yang, Xiujuan Qiao, Junlong Ma, Zhihao Yang, Xiliang Luo, Zhanhong Du","doi":"10.3390/bios15070424","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070424","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The rapid advancement of flexible sensor technology has profoundly transformed neural interface research, enabling multimodal information acquisition, real-time neurochemical and electrophysiological signal monitoring, and adaptive closed-loop regulation. This review systematically summarizes recent developments in flexible materials and microstructural designs optimized for enhanced biocompatibility, mechanical compliance, and sensing performance. We highlight the progress in integrated sensing systems capable of simultaneously capturing electrophysiological, mechanical, and neurochemical signals. The integration of carbon-based nanomaterials, metallic composites, and conductive polymers with innovative structural engineering is analyzed, emphasizing their potential in overcoming traditional rigid interface limitations. Furthermore, strategies for multimodal signal fusion, including electrochemical, optical, and mechanical co-sensing, are discussed in depth. Finally, we explore future perspectives involving the convergence of machine learning, miniaturized power systems, and intelligent responsive materials, aiming at the translation of flexible neural interfaces from laboratory research to practical clinical interventions and therapeutic applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":48608,"journal":{"name":"Biosensors-Basel","volume":"15 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144709565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Connor MacIsaac, Macros Nguyen, Alexander Uy, Tianmin Kong, Ava Hedayatipour
{"title":"A Programmable Gain Calibration Method to Mitigate Skin Tone Bias in PPG Sensors.","authors":"Connor MacIsaac, Macros Nguyen, Alexander Uy, Tianmin Kong, Ava Hedayatipour","doi":"10.3390/bios15070423","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070423","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a widely adopted optical technique for cardiovascular monitoring, but its accuracy is often compromised by skin pigmentation, which attenuates the signal in individuals with darker skin tones. This research addresses the challenge of skin pigmentation by developing a PPG sensor system with a novel gain calibration strategy. We present a hardware prototype integrating a programmable gain amplifier (PGA), specifically the OPA3S328 operational amplifier, controlled by a microcontroller. The system performs a one-time gain adjustment at initialization based on the user's skin tone, which is quantified using RGB image analysis. This \"set-and-hold\" approach normalizes the signal amplitude across various skin tones while effectively preserving the native morphology of the PPG waveform, which is essential for advanced cardiovascular diagnostics. Experimental validation with over 70 human volunteers demonstrated the PGA's ability to apply calibrated gain levels, derived from a first-degree polynomial relationship between skin pigmentation and red light absorption. This approach significantly improved signal consistency across different skin tones. The findings highlight the efficacy of pre-measurement gain correction for achieving reliable PPG sensing in diverse populations and lay the groundwork for future optimization of PPG sensor designs to improve reliability in wearable health monitoring devices.</p>","PeriodicalId":48608,"journal":{"name":"Biosensors-Basel","volume":"15 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144709511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Measurement of Salivary Cortisol for Revealing Age-Specific Dependence of Cortisol Levels on Time, Feeding, and Oxygen Metabolism in Newborn Infants.","authors":"Tomoko Suzuki, Sachiko Iwata, Chinami Hanai, Satoko Fukaya, Yuka Watanabe, Shigeharu Nakane, Hisayoshi Okamura, Shinji Saitoh, Osuke Iwata","doi":"10.3390/bios15070420","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070420","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Salivary cortisol is widely used to assess stress and circadian rhythms, yet its control variables in neonates, particularly regarding postnatal age, remain poorly understood. To elucidate age-specific effects of clinical variables on cortisol levels, 91 neonates with a mean (standard deviation) gestational age of 34.2 (3.8) weeks and postnatal age of 38.3 (35.4) days were categorised into Early, Medium, and Late groups by quartiles (days 10 and 56). Interactions with postnatal age were evaluated by comparing Early-to-Medium or Early-to-Late differences in regression coefficients between independent variables and cortisol levels. In the whole cohort, maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and morning sampling were associated with reduced cortisol levels (both <i>p</i> = 0.001). Mean regression coefficients (95% CI) between variables and cortisol levels were as follows: for postconceptional age, Early, -0.102 (-0.215, 0.010) and Late, 0.065 (-0.203, 0.332) (<i>p</i> = 0.035); for feeding duration, Early, 0.796 (-0.134, 1.727) and Late, -0.702 (-2.778, 1.376) (<i>p</i> = 0.010); for time elapsed since feeding, Early, -0.748 (-1.275, -0.221) and Late, -0.071 (-1.230, 1.088) (<i>p</i> = 0.036); and for blood lactate, Early, 0.086 (0.048 to 0.124), Medium, 0.022 (-0.063, 0.108), and Late, -0.018 (-0.106, 0.070) (<i>p</i> = 0.008 and <0.001 vs. Medium and Late, respectively). The influence of postconceptional age, oral feeding, and anaerobic metabolism on salivary cortisol levels was observed during the birth transition period but not beyond 10 days of life. Given the age-specific dependence of cortisol levels on clinical variables, including postconceptional age, feeding, and oxygen metabolism, caution is warranted when interpreting findings from studies on salivary cortisol in newborn infants.</p>","PeriodicalId":48608,"journal":{"name":"Biosensors-Basel","volume":"15 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144709549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}