State-of-the-art signal amplification strategies for nucleic acid and non-nucleic acid biosensors

Ijaz Gul; Muhammad Akmal Raheem; Md. Reyad-ul-Ferdous; Xi Yuan; Zhenglin Chen; Chenying lv; Minjiang Chen; Jiansong Ji; Duanpo Wu; Qiang Zhao; Chenggang Yan; Dongmei Yu

Sensors and Actuators Reports (Jun 2025)

State-of-the-art signal amplification strategies for nucleic acid and non-nucleic acid biosensors

Ijaz Gul,
Muhammad Akmal Raheem,
Md. Reyad-ul-Ferdous,
Xi Yuan,
Zhenglin Chen,
Chenying lv,
Minjiang Chen,
Jiansong Ji,
Duanpo Wu,
Qiang Zhao,
Chenggang Yan,
Dongmei Yu

Affiliations

Ijaz Gul: Lishui Institute of Hangzhou Dianzi University, Lishui, PR China; Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, PR China; School of Communication Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, PR China
Muhammad Akmal Raheem: Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, PR China
Md. Reyad-ul-Ferdous: Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, PR China
Xi Yuan: Lishui Institute of Hangzhou Dianzi University, Lishui, PR China; Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, PR China; School of Communication Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, PR China
Zhenglin Chen: Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Imaging and Interventional Medicine, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Interventional Medicine Engineering and Biotechnology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui 323000, PR China
Chenying lv: Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Imaging and Interventional Medicine, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Interventional Medicine Engineering and Biotechnology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui 323000, PR China
Minjiang Chen: Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Imaging and Interventional Medicine, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Interventional Medicine Engineering and Biotechnology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui 323000, PR China
Jiansong Ji: Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Imaging and Interventional Medicine, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Interventional Medicine Engineering and Biotechnology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui 323000, PR China
Duanpo Wu: Lishui Institute of Hangzhou Dianzi University, Lishui, PR China; School of Communication Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, PR China
Qiang Zhao: Lishui Institute of Hangzhou Dianzi University, Lishui, PR China; School of Communication Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, PR China
Chenggang Yan: Lishui Institute of Hangzhou Dianzi University, Lishui, PR China; School of Communication Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, PR China
Dongmei Yu: Lishui Institute of Hangzhou Dianzi University, Lishui, PR China; School of Communication Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, PR China; School of Mechanical, Electrical & Information Engineering, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, PR China; Corresponding author at: School of Mechanical, Electrical & Information Engineering, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, PR China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9
p. 100268

Abstract

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Biosensors have garnered substantial attention as an emerging toolbox for analyzing biomarkers, physiological processes, food, and environmental metrices. Rapid, sensitive, and selective detection is pivotal to the practical utility of a biosensing system. Over the last few years, strides have been made in biosensing research to develop next-generation sensing systems that meet WHO's ASSURED criteria. Shorter response times, accuracy, high sensitivity, and selectivity are immensely important parameters of a biosensor, directly impacted by the biosensing signal generation and detection modality. Herein, we critically analyze the state-of-the-art signal amplification strategies for various nucleic acid and non-nucleic acid bioanalytes to improve the analytical performance of biosensing systems. We first provide a brief overview of the key components of biosensors. Next, we provide insights on state-of-the-art signal amplification strategies by dividing them into target preamplification, target enrichment, cascade reactions, biocomponent engineering, exploring functional materials, optimizing reaction conditions, designing novel microfluidic devices, and harnessing AI, along with selected examples. We evaluate the development trends of these signal enhancement approaches and discuss pros and cons of each approach. Finally, we highlight current challenges and future considerations for this emerging interdisciplinary research area.

Published in Sensors and Actuators Reports

ISSN: 2666-0539 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Mathematics: Instruments and machines
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/sensors-and-actuators-reports/

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