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Special Issue "Advances in Optical, Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors"

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A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2023) | Viewed by 48467

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ferdinando Febbraio

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Guest Editor

Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy
Interests: protein structure/function; fluorescence sensors; enzyme immobilization; bioreactors; biosensors; pesticide sensing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Marco Chino

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80100 Naples, Italy
Interests: protein-protein interactions; colorimetric immunosensors; bioinorganic oxidations; protein design; protein chromatography; mass spectrometry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof.Dr. Rabeay Hassan

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Guest Editor

Center for Materials Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, October Gardens, 6th of October City, 12578, Giza, Egypt.
Interests: Microbial Sensors; Nanobiosensors; Bioelectrochemical Systems; Nanodevice; Diagnostics

Special Issue Information

Nature masters the art of sensing by the combination of different optical, thermal, chemical, and mechanical external stimuli. In general, each one of them is recognized by specific receptor and transducer molecules that act as antennas in delineating and communicating with the environment. The development of bio-inspired sensors (chemical and biochemical) give us the opportunity to learn this lesson, using such molecular tools (e.g., reporter enzymes, fluorescent and chemiluminescent proteins, antibodies, DNA-binding proteins, aptamers) and viable cells and microorganisms for specific tasks.

Recently, a wide range of applications have been recognized in which biosensing plays a key role, as it enables fast, reliable, and continuous detection in point-of-care diagnostics, persistent organic pollutant monitoring, intracellular sensing, and futuristic fitness monitoring and wearable chemical sensors. Chemical and biological markers may be found in different matrices, such as tears, saliva, sweat, ISF, blood, and exhaled breath, as well as sea and tap water, soil, and atmosphere.

In this Special Issue, we focus our attention on recent advances in optical, fluorescent, and luminescent biosensors. This class of devices may be either coupled to electrochemistry or material science in order to improve their performance, leading to electrochemiluminescence sensors, active/smart surfaces, and nano-sized stand-alone sensors. Original manuscripts as well as reviews of the current state of the art are welcome for submission.

Dr. Ferdinando Febbraio
Dr. Marco Chino
Prof. Rabeay Hassan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sensors is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

fluorescent sensors
colorimetric sensors
luminescent sensors
microbial sensors
electrochemiluminescence
nanodevice
protein engineering
synthetic biology
diagnostics
biosensors
complex matrix

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

A Red-Emitting Fluorescence Sensor for Detecting Boronic Acid-Containing Agents in Cells

and

Sensors 2022, 22(19), 7671; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22197671 - 10 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1143

Abstract

The amount and localization of boron-10 atoms delivered into tumor cells determines the therapeutic effect of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and, consequently, efforts have been directed to develop fluorescence sensors to detect intracellular boronic acid compounds. Currently, these sensors are blue-emitting and hence are impracticable for co-staining with nucleus staining reagents, such as DAPI and Hoechst 33342. Here, we designed and synthesized a novel fluorescence boron sensor, BS-631, that emits fluorescence with a maximum emission wavelength of 631 nm after reaction with the clinically available boronic acid agent, 4-borono-l-phenylalanine (BPA). BS-631 quantitatively detected BPA with sufficiently high sensitivity (detection limit = 19.6 µM) for evaluating BNCT agents. Furthermore, BS-631 did not emit fluorescence after incubation with metal cations. Notably, red-emitting BS-631 could easily and clearly visualize the localization of BPA within cells with nuclei co-stained using Hoechst 33342. This study highlights the promising properties of BS-631 as a versatile boron sensor for evaluating and analyzing boronic acid agents in cancer therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optical, Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors)

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Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Structurally Distorted Split GFP Fluorescent Sensors for Cell-Based Detection of Viral Proteolytic Activity

Miguel R. Guerreiro

Ana R. Fernandes

and

Ana S. Coroadinha

Sensors 2021, 21(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21010024 - 23 Dec 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2816

Abstract

Cell-based assays are essential for virus functional characterization in fundamental and applied research. Overcoming the limitations of virus-labelling strategies while allowing functional assessment of critical viral enzymes, virus-induced cell-based biosensors constitute a powerful approach. Herein, we designed and characterized different cell-based switch-on split GFP sensors reporting viral proteolytic activity and virus infection. Crucial to these sensors is the effective—yet reversible—fluorescence off-state, through protein distortion. For that, single (protein embedment or intein-mediated cyclization) or dual (coiled-coils) distortion schemes prevent split GFP self-assembly, until virus-promoted proteolysis of a cleavable sequence. All strategies showed their applicability in detecting viral proteolysis, although with different efficiencies depending on the protease. While for tobacco etch virus protease the best performing sensor was based on coiled-coils (signal-to-noise ratio, SNR, 97), for adenovirus and lentivirus proteases it was based on GFP11 cyclization (SNR 3.5) or GFP11 embedment distortion (SNR 6.0), respectively. When stably expressed, the sensors allowed live cell biosensing of adenovirus infection, with sensor fluorescence activation 24 h post-infection. The structural distortions herein studied are highly valuable in the development of cellular biosensing platforms. Additionally highlighted, selection of the best performing strategy is highly dependent on the unique properties of each viral protease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optical, Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors)

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Open AccessArticle

Gaussia Luciferase as a Reporter for Quorum Sensing in Staphylococcus aureus

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Sensors 2020, 20(15), 4305; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20154305 - 01 Aug 2020

Viewed by 3199

Abstract

Gaussia luciferase (GLuc) is a secreted protein with significant potential for use as a reporter of gene expression in bacterial pathogenicity studies. To date there are relatively few examples of its use in bacteriology. In this study we show that GLuc can be functionally expressed in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus and furthermore show that it can be used as a biosensor for the agr quorum sensing (QS) system which employs autoinducing peptides to control virulence. GLuc was linked to the P3 promoter of the S. aureusagr operon. Biosensor strains were validated by evaluation of chemical agent-mediated activation and inhibition of agr. Use of GLuc enabled quantitative assessment of agr activity. This demonstrates the utility of Gaussia luciferase for in vitro monitoring of agr activation and inhibition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optical, Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors)

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Open AccessArticle

Bioluminescent Ratiometric Indicator for Analysis of Water Hardness in Household Water

and

Sensors 2020, 20(11), 3164; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20113164 - 02 Jun 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4416

Abstract

Water hardness (WH) is a useful parameter for testing household water, such as drinking, cooking, and washing water. Many countries around the world use pipeline water in their houses, but there is a need to monitor the WH because hard water has a negative impact on appliances. Currently, WH is often measured using chemical dye-based WH indicators, and these techniques require expensive equipment, and trained personnel. Therefore, a low-cost and simple measurement method has been desired. Here, we report LOTUS-W, which consists of a luciferase, Nanoluc, a yellow fluorescent protein Venus, and a Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ detection domain of human centrin 3. The binding of Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ to this indicator changes the conformation of human centrin 3, and induces bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) from Nanoluc to Venus, which changes its emission spectrum about 140%. The dissociation constants of LOTUS-W for Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ are approximately several mM, making it suitable for measuring WH in the household water. With this indicator in combination with a smartphone, we have demonstrated that it is possible to evaluate WH easily and quickly. This novel indicator has the potential to be used for measuring not only household water but also water used in the food industry, etc. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optical, Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

Advances in Electrochemical Nano-Biosensors for Biomedical and Environmental Applications: From Current Work to Future Perspectives

Rabeay Y. A. Hassan

Sensors 2022, 22(19), 7539; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22197539 - 05 Oct 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2329

Abstract

Modern life quality is strongly supported by the advances made in biosensors, which has been attributed to their crucial and viable contribution in point-of-care (POC) technology developments. POC devices are exploited for the fast tracing of disease progression, rapid analysis of water, and food quality assessment. Blood glucose meters, home pregnancy strips, and COVID-19 rapid tests all represent common examples of successful biosensors. Biosensors can provide great specificity due to the incorporation of selective bio-recognition elements and portability at significantly reduced costs. Electrochemical biosensor platforms are one of the most advantageous of these platforms because they offer many merits, such as being cheap, selective, specific, rapid, and portable. Furthermore, they can be incorporated into smartphones and various analytical approaches in order to increase their sensitivity and many other properties. As a very broad and interdisciplinary area of research and development, biosensors include all disciplines and backgrounds from materials science, chemistry, physics, medicine, microbiology/biology, and engineering. Accordingly, in this state-of-the-art article, historical background alongside the long journey of biosensing construction and development, starting from the Clark oxygen electrode until reaching highly advanced wearable stretchable biosensing devices, are discussed. Consequently, selected examples among the miscellaneous applications of nanobiosensors (such as microbial detection, cancer diagnosis, toxicity analysis, food quality-control assurance, point of care, and health prognosis) are described. Eventually, future perspectives for intelligent biosensor commercialization and exploitation in real-life that is going to be supported by machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are stated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optical, Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors)

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Open AccessReview

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS): Principles, Construction, and Biosensing Applications

Hend S. Magar

Rabeay Y. A. Hassan

and

Ashok Mulchandani

Sensors 2021, 21(19), 6578; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21196578 - 01 Oct 2021

Cited by 148 | Viewed by 18884

Abstract

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a powerful technique used for the analysis of interfacial properties related to bio-recognition events occurring at the electrode surface, such as antibody–antigen recognition, substrate–enzyme interaction, or whole cell capturing. Thus, EIS could be exploited in several important biomedical diagnosis and environmental applications. However, the EIS is one of the most complex electrochemical methods, therefore, this review introduced the basic concepts and the theoretical background of the impedimetric technique along with the state of the art of the impedimetric biosensors and the impact of nanomaterials on the EIS performance. The use of nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires, and nanocomposites provided catalytic activity, enhanced sensing elements immobilization, promoted faster electron transfer, and increased reliability and accuracy of the reported EIS sensors. Thus, the EIS was used for the effective quantitative and qualitative detections of pathogens, DNA, cancer-associated biomarkers, etc. Through this review article, intensive literature review is provided to highlight the impact of nanomaterials on enhancing the analytical features of impedimetric biosensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optical, Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors)

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Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Microbial Electrochemical Systems: Principles, Construction and Biosensing Applications

Rabeay Y.A. Hassan

Ferdinando Febbraio

and

Silvana Andreescu

Sensors 2021, 21(4), 1279; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21041279 - 11 Feb 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3854

Abstract

Microbial electrochemical systems are a fast emerging technology that use microorganisms to harvest the chemical energy from bioorganic materials to produce electrical power. Due to their flexibility and the wide variety of materials that can be used as a source, these devices show promise for applications in many fields including energy, environment and sensing. Microbial electrochemical systems rely on the integration of microbial cells, bioelectrochemistry, material science and electrochemical technologies to achieve effective conversion of the chemical energy stored in organic materials into electrical power. Therefore, the interaction between microorganisms and electrodes and their operation at physiological important potentials are critical for their development. This article provides an overview of the principles and applications of microbial electrochemical systems, their development status and potential for implementation in the biosensing field. It also provides a discussion of the recent developments in the selection of electrode materials to improve electron transfer using nanomaterials along with challenges for achieving practical implementation, and examples of applications in the biosensing field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optical, Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors)

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Open AccessTechnical Note

Development and Evaluation of a Quantitative Fluorescent Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Cystatin-C, a Renal Dysfunction Biomarker

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Sensors 2021, 21(9), 3178; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21093178 - 03 May 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2678

Abstract

The diagnosis, prognosis, and control of chronic kidney disease rely on an understanding of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The renal clearance of the cystatin-C is closely associated with the GFR. Cystatin-C is a more suitable GFR marker than the commonly used creatinine. General techniques for cystatin-C calculation, such as particle-enhanced turbidimetric and nephelometric assay, are time-consuming and tedious. Here, we propose a rapid, quantitative immunoassay for the detection of cystatin-C. A fluorescence-based lateral-flow kit was developed in a sandwich format by using a monoclonal antibody. A Linear calibration was obtained over the clinical diagnostic range of 0.023–32 µg/mL and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.023 µg/mL and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.029 µg/mL. Average recoveries from spiked urine samples ranged from 96–100% and the coefficient of variation was less than 4% for both intra and inter-day assays with excellent repeatability. With the comparison with an ELISA kit, the developed kit is highly sensitive, performs well over the detection range, provides repeatable results in a short time, and can easily be used at point-of-care (POC), making it an ideal candidate for rapid testing in early detection, community screening for renal function disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optical, Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors)

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Open AccessLetter

Smartphone-Based Portable Bioluminescence Imaging System Enabling Observation at Various Scales from Whole Mouse Body to Organelle

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Sensors 2020, 20(24), 7166; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20247166 - 14 Dec 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3778

Abstract

Current smartphones equipped with high-sensitivity and high-resolution sensors in the camera can respond to the needs of low-light imaging, streaming acquisition, targets of various scales, etc. Therefore, a smartphone has great potential as an imaging device even in the scientific field and has already been introduced into biomolecular imaging using fluorescence tags. However, owing to the necessity of an excitation light source, fluorescence methods impair its mobility. Bioluminescence does not require illumination; therefore, imaging with a smartphone camera is compact and requires minimal devices, thus making it suitable for personal and portable imaging devices. Here, we report smartphone-based methods to observe biological targets in various scales using bioluminescence. In particular, we demonstrate, for the first time, that bioluminescence can be observed in an organelle in a single living cell using a smartphone camera by attaching a detachable objective lens. Through capturing color changes with the camera, changes in the amount of target molecules was detected using bioluminescent indicators. The combination of bioluminescence and a mobile phone makes possible a compact imaging system without an external light source and expands the potential of portable devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optical, Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors)

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Open AccessLetter

Use of an Artificial Miniaturized Enzyme in Hydrogen Peroxide Detection by Chemiluminescence

and

Sensors 2020, 20(13), 3793; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20133793 - 06 Jul 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4064

Abstract

Advanced oxidation processes represent a viable alternative in water reclamation for potable reuse. Sensing methods of hydrogen peroxide are, therefore, needed to test both process progress and final quality of the produced water. Several bio-based assays have been developed so far, mainly relying on peroxidase enzymes, which have the advantage of being fast, efficient, reusable, and environmentally safe. However, their production/purification and, most of all, batch-to-batch consistency may inherently prevent their standardization. Here, we provide evidence that a synthetic de novo miniaturized designed heme-enzyme, namely Mimochrome VI*a, can be proficiently used in hydrogen peroxide assays. Furthermore, a fast and automated assay has been developed by using a lab-bench microplate reader. Under the best working conditions, the assay showed a linear response in the 10.0–120 μM range, together with a second linearity range between 120 and 500 μM for higher hydrogen peroxide concentrations. The detection limit was 4.6 μM and quantitation limits for the two datasets were 15.5 and 186 μM, respectively. In perspective, Mimochrome VI*a could be used as an active biological sensing unit in different sensor configurations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optical, Fluorescent and Luminescent Biosensors)

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