Optical, Electrochemical and Acoustic Methods Based Biosensors for the Investigation of Biomolecules Interactions

A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical and Photonic Biosensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 20742

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: spectroscopic ellipsometry-based sensors and biosensors; metal oxide-based nanostructures; conducting polymers; molecularly imprinted polymers

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Guest Editor
1. NanoTechnas-Center of Nanotechnology and Materials Science, Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius University, LT-03225 Vilnius, Lithuania
2. Department of Immunology and Bioelectrochemistry, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: biosensors; immunosensors for bioanalytical and biomedical application; electrochemical, optical and piezoelectric signal transducers; nanoparticles and nanostructured surfaces; synthesis and application of conducting polymers; immobilization of biomolecules
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biosensors based on optical, electrochemical, and acoustic signal transduction methods are widely employed for the detection of various biomolecules. The development of sensitive and selective biosensors based on different signal transducers that are capable of detecting various biomolecules in real time is highly relevant. The ability to monitor the formation of biosensor surface registering proteins, aptamers, antigens, antibodies, and other biomolecules’ immobilization kinetics is one of the key factors ensuring the development of well-performing biosensors. Moreover, biomolecule interaction detection, analysis, and modelling can provide new insights into our understanding of complex formation. Additionally, different nanostructures formed on the sensing surface or applied for signal amplification after the detection of analytes have a high impact on the development of biosensors that allow for the detection of biomedically important biomolecules present in body fluids at ultralow concentrations. Therefore, the latest achievements in and applications of optical, electrochemical, and acoustic methods in biosensor design are highly important. Biosensors and biosensing systems based on optical and acoustic methods such as surface plasmon resonance, spectroscopic ellipsometry, quartz crystal balance with or without dissipation, and others are successfully applied for the real-time, label-free monitoring of different biomolecule interactions. All mentioned types of biosensors are highly sensitive, selective, reusable, and user-friendly and can be adapted rapidly for different purposes, such as current health challenges associated with the rapid spread of the new coronavirus.

The present Special Issue is dedicated to all aspects of biosensors that utilize various optical, electrochemical, and acoustic methods for different biomolecules’ detection and for interaction kinetics’ evaluation, analysis, and modelling, including, but not limited to, antigen–antibody receptor–ligand complex formation, the application of nanomaterials for analytical signal enhancement, and the combination of different biosensing techniques during a single measurement. Original research papers and review articles are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Ieva Plikusiene
Prof. Dr. Almira Ramanavičienė
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • optical, electrochemical and acoustic biosensors and immunosensors
  • kinetics analysis
  • interaction of biomolecules
  • nanostructures
  • biosensing surface modification
  • analytical signal amplification strategies

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 207 KiB  
Editorial
Investigation of Biomolecule Interactions: Optical-, Electrochemical-, and Acoustic-Based Biosensors
by Ieva Plikusiene and Almira Ramanaviciene
Biosensors 2023, 13(2), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13020292 - 18 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1465
Abstract
Today, optical, electrochemical, and acoustic affinity biosensors; immunosensors; and immunoanalytical systems play an important role in the detection and characterization of a number of biological substances, including viral antigens, specific antibodies, and clinically important biomarkers [...] Full article

Research

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12 pages, 2165 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Rhizobium anhuiense Bacteria as a Potential Biocatalyst for Microbial Biofuel Cell Design
by Viktorija Reinikovaite, Sarunas Zukauskas, Rokas Zalneravicius, Vilma Ratautaite, Simonas Ramanavicius, Vytautas Bucinskas, Monika Vilkiene, Arunas Ramanavicius and Urte Samukaite-Bubniene
Biosensors 2023, 13(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13010066 - 31 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1985
Abstract
The development of microbial fuel cells based on electro-catalytic processes is among the novel topics, which are recently emerging in the sustainable development of energetic systems. Microbial fuel cells have emerged as unique biocatalytic systems, which transform the chemical energy accumulated in renewable [...] Read more.
The development of microbial fuel cells based on electro-catalytic processes is among the novel topics, which are recently emerging in the sustainable development of energetic systems. Microbial fuel cells have emerged as unique biocatalytic systems, which transform the chemical energy accumulated in renewable organic fuels and at the same time reduce pollution from hazardous organic compounds. However, not all microorganisms involved in metabolic/catalytic processes generate sufficient redox potential. In this research, we have assessed the applicability of the microorganism Rhizobium anhuiense as a catalyst suitable for the design of microbial fuel cells. To improve the charge transfer, several redox mediators were tested, namely menadione, riboflavin, and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (PQ). The best performance was determined for a Rhizobium anhuiense-based bio-anode mediated by menadione with a 0.385 mV open circuit potential and 5.5 μW/cm2 maximal power density at 0.35 mV, which generated 50 μA/cm2 anode current at the same potential. Full article
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35 pages, 5903 KiB  
Article
An Optimization Framework for Silicon Photonic Evanescent-Field Biosensors Using Sub-Wavelength Gratings
by Lauren S. Puumala, Samantha M. Grist, Kithmin Wickremasinghe, Mohammed A. Al-Qadasi, Sheri Jahan Chowdhury, Yifei Liu, Matthew Mitchell, Lukas Chrostowski, Sudip Shekhar and Karen C. Cheung
Biosensors 2022, 12(10), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12100840 - 08 Oct 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3090
Abstract
Silicon photonic (SiP) evanescent-field biosensors aim to combine the information-rich readouts offered by lab-scale diagnostics, at a significantly lower cost, and with the portability and rapid time to result offered by paper-based assays. While SiP biosensors fabricated with conventional strip waveguides can offer [...] Read more.
Silicon photonic (SiP) evanescent-field biosensors aim to combine the information-rich readouts offered by lab-scale diagnostics, at a significantly lower cost, and with the portability and rapid time to result offered by paper-based assays. While SiP biosensors fabricated with conventional strip waveguides can offer good sensitivity for label-free detection in some applications, there is still opportunity for improvement. Efforts have been made to design higher-sensitivity SiP sensors with alternative waveguide geometries, including sub-wavelength gratings (SWGs). However, SWG-based devices are fragile and prone to damage, limiting their suitability for scalable and portable sensing. Here, we investigate SiP microring resonator sensors designed with SWG waveguides that contain a “fishbone” and highlight the improved robustness offered by this design. We present a framework for optimizing fishbone-style SWG waveguide geometries based on numerical simulations, then experimentally measure the performance of ring resonator sensors fabricated with the optimized waveguides, targeting operation in the O-band and C-band. For the O-band and C-band devices, we report bulk sensitivities up to 349 nm/RIU and 438 nm/RIU, respectively, and intrinsic limits of detection as low as 5.1 × 10−4 RIU and 7.1 × 10−4 RIU, respectively. This performance is comparable to the state of the art in SWG-based sensors, positioning fishbone SWG resonators as an attractive, more robust, alternative to conventional SWG designs. Full article
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16 pages, 2984 KiB  
Article
Determination of rSpike Protein by Specific Antibodies with Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode Modified by Electrodeposited Gold Nanostructures
by Maryia Drobysh, Viktorija Liustrovaite, Ausra Baradoke, Roman Viter, Chien-Fu Chen, Arunas Ramanavicius and Almira Ramanaviciene
Biosensors 2022, 12(8), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12080593 - 03 Aug 2022
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3163
Abstract
In this research, we assessed the applicability of electrochemical sensing techniques for detecting specific antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike proteins in the blood serum of patient samples following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Herein, screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) with [...] Read more.
In this research, we assessed the applicability of electrochemical sensing techniques for detecting specific antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike proteins in the blood serum of patient samples following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Herein, screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) with electrodeposited gold nanostructures (AuNS) were modified with L-Cysteine for further covalent immobilization of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins (rSpike). The affinity interactions of the rSpike protein with specific antibodies against this protein (anti-rSpike) were assessed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods. It was revealed that the SPCE electroactive surface area increased from 1.49 ± 0.02 cm2 to 1.82 ± 0.01 cm2 when AuNS were electrodeposited, and the value of the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k0) changed from 6.30 × 10−5 to 14.56 × 10−5. The performance of the developed electrochemical immunosensor was evaluated by calculating the limit of detection and limit of quantification, giving values of 0.27 nM and 0.81 nM for CV and 0.14 nM and 0.42 nM for DPV. Furthermore, a specificity test was performed with a solution of antibodies against bovine serum albumin as the control aliquot, which was used to assess nonspecific binding, and this evaluation revealed that the developed rSpike-based sensor exhibits low nonspecific binding towards anti-rSpike antibodies. Full article
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10 pages, 2293 KiB  
Communication
Total Internal Reflection Ellipsometry Approach for Bloch Surface Waves Biosensing Applications
by Ernesta Bužavaitė-Vertelienė, Vincentas Maciulis, Justina Anulytė, Tomas Tolenis, Algirdas Baskys, Ieva Plikusiene and Zigmas Balevičius
Biosensors 2022, 12(8), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12080584 - 30 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1513
Abstract
A one-dimensional photonic crystal with an additional TiO2 layer, supporting Bloch surface waves (BSW), was used for enhanced signal sensitivity for the detection of protein interaction. To compare the optical response of BSW and photonic crystals (PC), bovine serum albumin and specific [...] Read more.
A one-dimensional photonic crystal with an additional TiO2 layer, supporting Bloch surface waves (BSW), was used for enhanced signal sensitivity for the detection of protein interaction. To compare the optical response of BSW and photonic crystals (PC), bovine serum albumin and specific antibodies against bovine serum were used as a model system. The results obtained show the enhanced sensitivity of p- and s-BSW components for the 1D PC sample with an additional TiO2 layer. Furthermore, a higher sensitivity was obtained for the BSW component of p-polarization in the PC sample with an additional TiO2 layer, where the sensitivity of the ellipsometric parameter Ψ was five times higher and that of the Δ parameter was eight times higher than those of the PC sample. The capabilities of BSW excitations are discussed from the sensitivity point of view and from the design of advanced biosensing. Full article
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12 pages, 1540 KiB  
Article
Investigation and Comparison of Specific Antibodies’ Affinity Interaction with SARS-CoV-2 Wild-Type, B.1.1.7, and B.1.351 Spike Protein by Total Internal Reflection Ellipsometry
by Ieva Plikusiene, Vincentas Maciulis, Silvija Juciute, Ruta Maciuleviciene, Saulius Balevicius, Arunas Ramanavicius and Almira Ramanaviciene
Biosensors 2022, 12(5), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12050351 - 18 May 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2933
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 vaccines provide strong protection against COVID-19. However, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has raised concerns about the efficacy of vaccines. In this study, we investigated the interactions of specific polyclonal human antibodies (pAb-SCoV2-S) produced after vaccination with the Vaxzevria vaccine with the [...] Read more.
SARS-CoV-2 vaccines provide strong protection against COVID-19. However, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has raised concerns about the efficacy of vaccines. In this study, we investigated the interactions of specific polyclonal human antibodies (pAb-SCoV2-S) produced after vaccination with the Vaxzevria vaccine with the spike proteins of three SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: wild-type, B.1.1.7, and B.1.351. Highly sensitive, label-free, and real-time monitoring of these interactions was accomplished using the total internal reflection ellipsometry method. Thermodynamic parameters such as association and dissociation rate constants, the stable immune complex formation rate constant (kr), the equilibrium association and dissociation (KD) constants and steric factors (Ps) were calculated using a two-step irreversible binding mathematical model. The results obtained show that the KD values for the specific antibody interactions with all three types of spike protein are in the same nanomolar range. The KD values for B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 suggest that the antibody produced after vaccination can successfully protect the population from the alpha (B.1.1.7) and beta (B.1.351) SARS-CoV-2 mutations. The steric factors (Ps) obtained for all three types of spike proteins showed a 100-fold lower requirement for the formation of an immune complex when compared with nucleocapsid protein. Full article
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Review

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28 pages, 4840 KiB  
Review
Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Electrochemical Sensors for the Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases
by Greta Pilvenyte, Vilma Ratautaite, Raimonda Boguzaite, Simonas Ramanavicius, Chien-Fu Chen, Roman Viter and Arunas Ramanavicius
Biosensors 2023, 13(6), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13060620 - 05 Jun 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3164
Abstract
The appearance of biological molecules, so-called biomarkers in body fluids at abnormal concentrations, is considered a good tool for detecting disease. Biomarkers are usually looked for in the most common body fluids, such as blood, nasopharyngeal fluids, urine, tears, sweat, etc. Even with [...] Read more.
The appearance of biological molecules, so-called biomarkers in body fluids at abnormal concentrations, is considered a good tool for detecting disease. Biomarkers are usually looked for in the most common body fluids, such as blood, nasopharyngeal fluids, urine, tears, sweat, etc. Even with significant advances in diagnostic technology, many patients with suspected infections receive empiric antimicrobial therapy rather than appropriate treatment, which is driven by rapid identification of the infectious agent, leading to increased antimicrobial resistance. To positively impact healthcare, new tests are needed that are pathogen-specific, easy to use, and produce results quickly. Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based biosensors can achieve these general goals and have enormous potential for disease detection. This article aimed to overview recent articles dedicated to electrochemical sensors modified with MIP to detect protein-based biomarkers of certain infectious diseases in human beings, particularly the biomarkers of infectious diseases, such as HIV-1, COVID-19, Dengue virus, and others. Some biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) found in blood tests, are not specific for a particular disease but are used to identify any inflammation process in the body and are also under consideration in this review. Other biomarkers are specific to a particular disease, e.g., SARS-CoV-2-S spike glycoprotein. This article analyzes the development of electrochemical sensors using molecular imprinting technology and the used materials’ influence. The research methods, the application of different electrodes, the influence of the polymers, and the established detection limits are reviewed and compared. Full article
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18 pages, 2030 KiB  
Review
Acousto−Optics: Recent Studies and Medical Applications
by Mohammadreza Omidali, Ali Mardanshahi, Mariella Särestöniemi, Zuomin Zhao and Teemu Myllylä
Biosensors 2023, 13(2), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13020186 - 25 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2614
Abstract
Development of acousto−optic (AO) techniques has made progress in recent years across a range of medical application fields, especially in improving resolution, detection speed, and imaging depth. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in AO−based techniques that have been presented [...] Read more.
Development of acousto−optic (AO) techniques has made progress in recent years across a range of medical application fields, especially in improving resolution, detection speed, and imaging depth. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in AO−based techniques that have been presented after the previously published review in 2017. The survey covers a description of theoretical modeling strategies and numerical simulation methods as well as recent applications in medical fields. It also provides a comparison between different techniques in terms of complexity, achieved depth in tissue, and resolution. In addition, a comparison between different numerical simulation methods will be outlined. Additionally, a number of challenges faced by AO techniques are considered, particularly in the context of realistic in vivo imaging. Finally, the paper discusses prospects of AO−based medical diagnosis methods. Full article
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