Aggregation-based analytical chemistry in point-of-care nanosensors

Abstract

It is crucial to realize the point-of-care (POC) testing of harmful analytes, capable of saving limited agricultural resources, assisting environmental remediation, ensuring food safety, and enabling early disease diagnosis. Compared with other conventional POC sensing strategies, aggregation-based analytical chemistry facilitates the practical-oriented development of POC nanosensors by altering the aggregation status of nanoprobes through the action of multiple aggregation-induced “forces” originating from the targets. Herein, we have proceeded with a comprehensive review focusing on the aggregation-based analytical chemistry in POC nanosensors, covering aggregation-induced “forces”, aggregation-induced signal transductions, aggregation-induced POC nanosensing strategies, and their applications in biomolecular monitoring, food safety analysis, and environmental monitoring. Finally, challenges existing in practical applications have been further proposed to improve their sensing applications, and we expect our review can speed up the development of cost-effective, readily deployable, and time-efficient nanosensors through aggregation-based analytical chemistry.