Detection of chemical and biological agents plays a fundamental role in biomedical, forensic and environmental sciences1–4 as well as in anti bioterrorism applications.5–7 The development of highly sensitive, cost effective, miniature sensors is therefore in high demand which requires advanced technology coupled with fundamental knowledge in chemistry, biology and material sciences.8–13

In general, sensors feature two functional components: a recognition element to provide selective/specific binding with the target analytes and a transducer component for signaling the binding event. An efficient sensor relies heavily on these two essential components for the recognition process in terms of response time, signal to noise (S/N) ratio, selectivity and limits of detection (LOD).14,15 Therefore, designing sensors with higher efficacy depends on the development of novel materials to improve both the recognition and transduction processes. Nanomaterials feature unique physicochemical properties that can be of great utility in creating new recognition and transduction processes for chemical and biological sensors15–27 as well as improving the S/N ratio by miniaturization of the sensor elements.28

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess distinct physical and chemical attributes that make them excellent scaffolds for the fabrication of novel chemical and biological sensors (Figure 1).29–36 First, AuNPs can be synthesized in a straightforward manner and can be made highly stable. Second, they possess unique optoelectronic properties. Third, they provide high surface-to-volume ratio with excellent biocompatibility using appropriate ligands.30 Fourth, these properties of AuNPs can be readily tuned varying their size, shape and the surrounding chemical environment. For example, the binding event between recognition element and the analyte can alter physicochemical properties of transducer AuNPs, such as plasmon resonance absorption, conductivity, redox behavior, etc. that in turn can generate a detectable response signal. Finally, AuNPs offer a suitable platform for multi-functionalization with a wide range of organic or biological ligands for the selective binding and detection of small molecules and biological targets.30–32,36 Each of these attributes of AuNPs has allowed researchers to develop novel sensing strategies with improved sensitivity, stability and selectivity. In the last decade of research, the advent of AuNP as a sensory element provided us a broad spectrum of innovative approaches for the detection of metal ions, small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, malignant cells, etc. in a rapid and efficient manner.37



Figure 1

Physical properties of AuNPs and schematic illustration of an AuNP-based detection system.



In this current review, we have highlighted the several synthetic routes and properties of AuNPs that make them excellent probes for different sensing strategies. Furthermore, we will discuss various sensing strategies and major advances in the last two decades of research utilizing AuNPs in the detection of variety of target analytes including metal ions, organic molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, and microorganisms.

/pdf/gold-nanoparticles-in-chemical-and-biological-sensing-5e2qojkdzn.pdf

Gold nanoparticles in chemical and biological sensing.

We first reported that polyvinylpyrrolidone-protected graphene was dispersed well in water and had good electrochemical reduction toward O2 and H2O2. With glucose oxidase (GOD) as an enzyme model, we constructed a novel polyvinylpyrrolidone-protected graphene/polyethylenimine-functionalized ionic liquid/GOD electrochemical biosensor, which achieved the direct electron transfer of GOD, maintained its bioactivity and showed potential application for the fabrication of novel glucose biosensors with linear glucose response up to 14 mM.

Direct Electrochemistry of Glucose Oxidase and Biosensing for Glucose Based on Graphene

The application of nanotechnology concepts to medicine joins two large cross-disciplinary fields with an unprecedented societal and economical potential arising from the natural combination of specific achievements in the respective fields. The common basis evolves from the molecular-scale properties relevant to the two fields. Local probes and molecular imaging techniques allow surface and interface properties to be characterized on a nanometer scale at predefined locations, while chemical approaches offer the opportunity to elaborate and address surfaces, for example, for targeted drug delivery, enhanced biocompatibility, and neuroprosthetic purposes. However, concerns arise in this cross-disciplinary area about toxicological aspects and ethical implications. This Review gives an overview of selected recent developments and applications of nanomedicine.

Nanomedicine--challenge and perspectives.

Conducting polymer hydrogels represent a unique class of materials that synergizes the advantageous features of hydrogels and organic conductors and have been used in many applications such as bioelectronics and energy storage devices. They are often synthesized by polymerizing conductive polymer monomer within a nonconducting hydrogel matrix, resulting in deterioration of their electrical properties. Here, we report a scalable and versatile synthesis of multifunctional polyaniline (PAni) hydrogel with excellent electronic conductivity and electrochemical properties. With high surface area and three-dimensional porous nanostructures, the PAni hydrogels demonstrated potential as high-performance supercapacitor electrodes with high specific capacitance (∼480 F·g-1), unprecedented rate capability, and cycling stability (∼83% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles). The PAni hydrogels can also function as the active component of glucose oxidase sensors with fast response time (∼0.3 s) and superior sensitivity (∼16.7 μA·mM-1). The scalable synthesis and excellent electrode performance of the PAni hydrogel make it an attractive candidate for bioelectronics and future-generation energy storage electrodes.

/pdf/hierarchical-nanostructured-conducting-polymer-hydrogel-with-4eeyqwdsrk.pdf

Hierarchical nanostructured conducting polymer hydrogel with high electrochemical activity

Potential applications of enzymes immobilized on/in nano materials: A review

Recent advances in polyaniline based biosensors

Glucose oxidase (GOx) has been covalently immobilized onto chemically synthesized thiolated gold nanoparticles (5−8 nm) via N-ethyl-N‘-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). The lower value of the Michaelis−Menton constant obtained for the immobilized (3.74 mM) GOx compared with that for the free (5.85 mM) GOx suggests significant enhancement in the activity of GOx attached to thiolated gold nanoparticles. The covalently immobilized GOx thiolated nanoparticles exhibit a response time of 30 s, a shelf life of more than 6 months, and improved tolerance to both pH and temperature.

Application of Thiolated Gold Nanoparticles for the Enhancement of Glucose Oxidase Activity

Recent advances in cholesterol biosensor

Recent advances in self-assembled monolayers based biomolecular electronic devices.

Nanomaterials, the building blocks of nanotechnology, possess important physical properties such as particle aggregation, photoemission, electrical and heat conductivities, and chemical properties like catalytic activities. On the basis of such unique properties, nanomaterials have received much attention from scientists and researchers in different areas of biomedical sciences such as biomolecule detection, sensing applications, gene delivery, clinical diagnostics, etc. This review focuses on different types of nanomaterials including their synthesis, properties, conjugation with biomolecules, and their biosensing applications.

Monika Datta

Papers

Recent advances in polyaniline based biosensors

Application of Thiolated Gold Nanoparticles for the Enhancement of Glucose Oxidase Activity

Recent advances in cholesterol biosensor

Recent advances in self-assembled monolayers based biomolecular electronic devices.

Prospects of Nanomaterials in Biosensors