Nano-engineered biomimetic materials: toward point-of-care diagnosis of infectious diseases

Abstract

This review emphasizes the advantages of nano-engineered antibodies (nanobodies), nanozymes, and nano-imprinted polymers (nano-MIPs) in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for infectious diseases, with a particular emphasis on SARS-CoV-2 detection, compared to conventional receptors. Infectious diseases have led to significant economic and social challenges, prompting the urgent development of reliable and cost-effective diagnostic tools, particularly POC biosensors. Current POC biosensors utilizing enzymes and antibodies have proven useful, although limitations such as low sensitivity, stability, and complex fabrication affect their performance. With advancements in nanomaterials, biomimetic elements such as nanobodies, nanozymes, and nano-MIPs they have shown great potential as alternatives to natural receptors. Recent advances in these biomimetic element materials applied to POC sensing platforms, such as paper-based devices and microfluidics, as the physical platforms are reviewed and discussed. This work also highlights the integration of electrochemical and optical detection systems with novel readout technologies, including smartphone-based devices, and represents an updated overview that encompasses all the advancements in this domain. Emphasis is placed on COVID-19 as a pivotal case study. Key primary sensor performances, such as linear detection range and limit of detection, are evaluated and compared. Advantages and disadvantages of each approach are discussed to illustrate the potential impact of these nano-based materials on future biosensor applications.