Recent Advances in Development of Biosensors for Monitoring of Airborne Microorganisms

Abstract

Background: The early detection of infectious microorganisms is crucial for preventing and controlling the transmission of diseases. This article provides a comprehensive review of biosensors based on various diagnostic methods for measuring airborne pathogens.

Objective: This article aims to explore recent advancements in the field of biosensors tailored for the detection and monitoring of airborne microorganisms, offering insights into emerging technologies and their potential applications in environmental surveillance and public health management.

Materials and methods: The study summarizes the research conducted on novel methods of detecting airborne microorganisms using different biological sensors, as well as the application of signal amplification technologies such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunoassay reactions, molecular imprinted polymers (MIP) technique, lectin and cascade reactions, and nanomaterials.

Results: Antibody and PCR detection methods are effective for specific microbial strains, but they have limitations including limited stability, high cost, and the need for skilled operators with basic knowledge of the target structure. Biosensors based on MIP and lectin offer a low-cost, stable, sensitive, and selective alternative to antibodies and PCR. However, challenges remain, such as the detection of small gas molecules by MIP and the lower sensitivity of lectins compared to antibodies. Additionally, achieving high sensitivity in complex environments poses difficulties for both methods.

Conclusion: The development of sensitive, reliable, accessible, portable, and inexpensive biosensors holds great potential for clinical and environmental applications, including disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and point-of-care testing, offering a promising future in this field. This review presents an overview of biosensor detection principles, covering component identification, energy conversion principles, and signal amplification. Additionally, it summarizes the research and applications of biosensors in the detection of airborne microorganisms. The latest advancements and future trends in biosensor detection of airborne microorganisms are also analyzed.

Keywords: Airborne Pathogens; Antibody; Biosensor; Lectin; Nanoparticles; Point of Care (POC).

Figure 1

Process of analyte detection in a biosensor. Analyte enters the biosensor through an inlet. Within the biosensor, it undergoes purification to isolate genetic material or the desired cell component. Subsequently, it gets trapped by a specialized biological element. Finally, this trapped material is detected and analyzed for further examination (Original: Prepared by the authors).

Figure 2

Classification of biosensors based on transducers and bio-probes for airborne pathogen surveillance. Classifying biosensors based on their transducers and the biological elements they utilize involves employing various components. Bio-Probes, which include DNA, RNA, antibodies, and enzymes, play a crucial role in monitoring airborne pathogens. Diverse tools and approaches, such as optical, electrochemical, and mass-based techniques, are used to identify particles and generate signals necessary for analysis (Original: Prepared by the authors).

Figure 3

Operating procedure of the onestart system. A microfluidic chip, coupled with an amplification module, comprises a sample reservoir, three reagent reservoirs, an SPE chamber, six diaphragm valves, a lyophilized powder tube, and an amplification module housing 32 PCR chambers. The operational steps 1-4 represent the procedural guidelines for the Onestart system (Original: Prepared by the authors).

Figure 4

Template-based molecular imprinting: creating selective recognition polymers. Molecular imprinting technique used to create polymers with specific recognition features. By using a chosen molecule as a template, the resulting polymer matrix can selectively bind to the target molecule or similar molecules, thanks to the imprints left behind after removing the template (Original: Prepared by the authors).

Figure 5

Bacterial lectins Interaction and mucosal receptors. Multivalent binding by oligosaccharides between bacterial and mammalian cell membranes. Colored squares represent different monosaccharide units, red circles represent mammalian respiratory lectin, and green half-circles represent pathogen lectin (Original: Prepared by the authors).

Figure 6

Analyzing trends of transducer and bio-elements. A) Number of studies published in PubMed based on classification of application of transducers for virus assays. B) The number of studies published in PubMed based on the classification of the use of bio-elements for the assay of viruses (Original: Prepared by the authors).