Abstract
In recent years, nanomaterials of different shape, size, and composition have been prepared and characterized, such as gold and silver nanoparticles, quantum dots, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, carbon nanomaterials, and hybrid nanocomposites. Because of their unique physical and chemical properties, these nanomaterials are increasingly used in point-of-care testing (POCT) to improve analytical performance and simplify detection process. They are used either as carriers for immobilizing biorecognition elements, or as labels for signal generation, transduction and amplification. In this commentary, we highlight recent POCT technologies that employ nanotechnology for the analysis of disease biomarkers, including small-molecule metabolites, enzymes, proteins, nucleic acids, cancer cells, and pathogens. Recent advances in lateral flow tests, printable electrochemical biosensors, and microfluidics-based devices are summarized. Existing challenges and future directions are also discussed.
Highlights
Point-of-care testing (POCT) refers to medical diagnostic tests performed near the place and time of patient care
In the presence of target analyte, the target molecules are captured by nanogold-labeled antibodies and bind with detection antibodies on the test line
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are coated with detection antibodies, and the target small molecules in liquid sample compete with immobilized analyte-protein conjugates on the test line for binding to AuNP-labeled detection antibodies
Summary
Point-of-care testing (POCT) refers to medical diagnostic tests performed near the place and time of patient care. Nanomaterials of different shape, size and composition have been prepared and characterized, such as gold and silver nanoparticles, quantum dots, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, carbon nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene, and hybrid nanocomposites (Reddy et al, 2012; Saha et al, 2012; Yin and Talapin, 2013; Hong et al, 2015) Compared with their bulk counterparts, nanomaterials have some unique physical and chemical properties, such as large surface area, excellent biocompatibility, and specific catalytic activity, which make nanomaterials an excellent candidate for manufacturing detection probes (Colombo et al, 2012; Jans and Huo, 2012). We will discuss applications of nanomaterials in biosensors for POCT and how they can improve the analytical performance (Figure 1)
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