Paper-Based Sensors and Fluorescent Probes for Disease Detection

Dear Colleagues,

Sensors are used in all aspects of life. The rapid and sensitive screening of molecules is always required in many applications such as environmental monitoring, the clinical diagnosis of diseases, the therapeutic drug monitoring, national security. New low-cost sensing technologies are required for rapid and sensitive trace analysis of biomolecules, down to the single molecule detection level, in complex matrices and with minimum-to-nil sample processing requirements at points of care. Paper-based sensing platforms have strong potential to meet these requirements. Disposable paper-based sensors offer low-cost analysis and avoid the potential for cross contamination, especially in clinical diagnosis applications, which is caused by the use of the platform for repeated analysis of multiple samples. Surface functionalization of the paper-based sensor with target-specific recognition molecules maximizes the selectivity of the sensor and eliminates the potential for false positive results. By using novel optical probes that can produce intense color change and/or intense fluorescence emission upon interaction with the target molecule, ultra-low detection limits can be achieved with high reproducibility and accuracy, for example, paper-based stimuli responsive biosensors that utilize novel FL probes can produce intense FL emission in the presence of target biomolecules. Much research is currently being carried out that is aimed at synthesizing and utilizing novel paper-based target-specific sensor materials and sensitive colored probes for smart analytical platforms that can be used to screen disease agents and biomarkers. These platforms include a paper-based lab-on-a-chip device, paper-based microfluids, and paper-based lateral flow devices. 

This Special Issue will focus on the recent advances in biomolecule detection using paper-based platforms and sensors and the synthesis of new probes for the optical detection of disease agents and biomarkers.    

Examples of the topics that may be covered in this Special Issue include (but are not limited to) the following: 

1. New paper-based platforms (e.g., paper microfluidics, lateral flow, paper-based lab on a chip, paper-based SERS sensors);  

2. Novel optical probes (e.g., fluorescence tags, coumarin dyes, colored quantum dots) for the detection of pathogens, protein biomarkers, and DNA;    

3. Novel sensing mechanisms for the optical detection of biomolecules (e.g., nano enzymes, stimuli-responsive sensing mechanisms).

Dr. Emad L. Izake
Guest Editor

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• paper-based sensors
• optical probes
• biomolecule detection
• sensing mechnisms
• single molecule detection