Nanobiosensors for Pathogenic Agents Detection

Abstract

Conventional methods to detect pathogenic microorganisms can be wasteful, expensive, and not very sensitive. Due to these limitations, approaches based on nanotechnology and the development of new diagnostic tests are emerging as alternative methods. Resulting from the unique electrical, magnetic, luminescent, and catalytic properties of nanomaterials, rapid and cost-effective diagnostic tests have been developed to recognize the presence of microbial pathogens or some of their components in different samples. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview and an update regarding the use of several nanomaterials as biosensors, among which are gold nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, magnetic nanoparticles, and quantum dots. The application of these biosensors has opened a new interdisciplinary frontier between biological detection and materials science.