Pub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.5c03331
Yang Cheng,Xinyuan Bi,Bo Liu,Zhou Chen,Linley Li Lin,Yuling Wang,Jiahua Pan,Jian Ye
Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a major global health burden, yet current screening tools often lead to overdiagnosis due to low specificity, highlighting the urgent need for more precise diagnostic approaches. Prostatic fluid (PSF) represents a promising but underexplored biofluid with exceptional diagnostic potential due to its direct contact with the PCa microenvironment. Here, we employed molecule-level interpretable surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to comprehensively investigate PCa-associated alterations in two PSF components including metabolites and small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and explored their potential interrelations via correlation analysis. Through molecule-resolvable SERS spectral set (MORE SERSome) technique, we identified ergothioneine and deoxyguanosine as differential metabolites between PCa and benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. We further constructed a fusion diagnostic model by integrating metabolites and sEVs information. The fusion model significantly outperformed the diagnostic accuracy by applying any single component, suggesting diagnostic complementarity between PSF metabolites and sEVs. Integration with clinical variables such as age and plasma prostate-specific antigen concentration further enhanced performance with the area under the curve as high as 0.93 for PCa diagnosis, substantially surpassing existing screening methods. These findings strengthen the importance of in-depth analysis of specific PSF components and further promise the potential of SERS-based PSF profiling as a noninvasive strategy for PCa diagnosis and biopsy guidance.
{"title":"Molecule-Level Interpretable SERS Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer via Prostatic Fluid Metabolites and Extracellular Vesicles.","authors":"Yang Cheng,Xinyuan Bi,Bo Liu,Zhou Chen,Linley Li Lin,Yuling Wang,Jiahua Pan,Jian Ye","doi":"10.1021/acssensors.5c03331","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.5c03331","url":null,"abstract":"Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a major global health burden, yet current screening tools often lead to overdiagnosis due to low specificity, highlighting the urgent need for more precise diagnostic approaches. Prostatic fluid (PSF) represents a promising but underexplored biofluid with exceptional diagnostic potential due to its direct contact with the PCa microenvironment. Here, we employed molecule-level interpretable surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to comprehensively investigate PCa-associated alterations in two PSF components including metabolites and small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and explored their potential interrelations via correlation analysis. Through molecule-resolvable SERS spectral set (MORE SERSome) technique, we identified ergothioneine and deoxyguanosine as differential metabolites between PCa and benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. We further constructed a fusion diagnostic model by integrating metabolites and sEVs information. The fusion model significantly outperformed the diagnostic accuracy by applying any single component, suggesting diagnostic complementarity between PSF metabolites and sEVs. Integration with clinical variables such as age and plasma prostate-specific antigen concentration further enhanced performance with the area under the curve as high as 0.93 for PCa diagnosis, substantially surpassing existing screening methods. These findings strengthen the importance of in-depth analysis of specific PSF components and further promise the potential of SERS-based PSF profiling as a noninvasive strategy for PCa diagnosis and biopsy guidance.","PeriodicalId":24,"journal":{"name":"ACS Sensors","volume":"77 1","pages":"XXX"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146056933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.5c03850
Xuequan Jing,Meina Guo,Peihai Ju,Huimin Xie,Yinhua Wan,Kang Hu,Tinggang Li
Rare-earth functionalized covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have played an important role in antibiotic detection. However, the single optical change and fixed sensing mode limit its development. In this work, a COF-50% featuring strong fluorescence emission and abundant chelation sites was designed and synthesized. As an imine-linked COF, COF-50% overcomes fluorescence quenching caused by π-π stacking and bond rotation through aggregation-induced emission and intramolecular hydrogen bonding. With a quantum yield of 10.5%, it serves as a stable built-in fluorescent reference signal. In addition, partial replacement of linkers within the structure further enhanced the coordination ability toward metal ions. Subsequently, a novel ratiometric fluorescent probe (COF-50%-Sc) was constructed by exploiting the fluorescence sensitization of Sc3+ on enrofloxacin (ENR). The resulting system enhances sensing performance in water, exhibiting a linear fluorescence response to enrofloxacin with a detection limit of 5.96 nM. Notably, the fluorescence color changes from orange to purple during detection, and a modular color recognition device was further developed for portable, rapid, and real-time quantification of ENR. Overall, this study offers a novel strategy for the synergistic integration of rare-earth ions and COF materials in optical sensing applications.
{"title":"Multifunctional Covalent Organic Framework Coupled with Sc3+-Sensitized Emission for Ratiometric Detection of Enrofloxacin.","authors":"Xuequan Jing,Meina Guo,Peihai Ju,Huimin Xie,Yinhua Wan,Kang Hu,Tinggang Li","doi":"10.1021/acssensors.5c03850","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.5c03850","url":null,"abstract":"Rare-earth functionalized covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have played an important role in antibiotic detection. However, the single optical change and fixed sensing mode limit its development. In this work, a COF-50% featuring strong fluorescence emission and abundant chelation sites was designed and synthesized. As an imine-linked COF, COF-50% overcomes fluorescence quenching caused by π-π stacking and bond rotation through aggregation-induced emission and intramolecular hydrogen bonding. With a quantum yield of 10.5%, it serves as a stable built-in fluorescent reference signal. In addition, partial replacement of linkers within the structure further enhanced the coordination ability toward metal ions. Subsequently, a novel ratiometric fluorescent probe (COF-50%-Sc) was constructed by exploiting the fluorescence sensitization of Sc3+ on enrofloxacin (ENR). The resulting system enhances sensing performance in water, exhibiting a linear fluorescence response to enrofloxacin with a detection limit of 5.96 nM. Notably, the fluorescence color changes from orange to purple during detection, and a modular color recognition device was further developed for portable, rapid, and real-time quantification of ENR. Overall, this study offers a novel strategy for the synergistic integration of rare-earth ions and COF materials in optical sensing applications.","PeriodicalId":24,"journal":{"name":"ACS Sensors","volume":"73 1","pages":"XXX"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146069821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Monitoring the dynamic interactions between therapeutic drugs and physiological responses is essential for advancing precision medicine. The inter- and intrasubject variability in drug pharmacokinetics and physiological responses underscores the need for simultaneous and continuous monitoring of both parameters to address the limitations of current approaches that are invasive and unable to capture dynamic drug−body interactions. Here, we report a fully integrated epidermal nanosensor (termed PharmHemoSens) that enables real-time, noninvasive, and multimodal sweat monitoring of theophylline (THP), a widely prescribed medication for asthma, alongside key hemodynamic signals, including heart rate and blood pressure. PharmHemoSens monitors the sweat-based pharmacokinetic levels of THP at rest following its oral administration while simultaneously tracking the hemodynamic signals indicative of potential cardiovascular side effects, such as tachycardia and hypertension. On-body measurements demonstrate strong correlations between serum and sweat THP levels, validating the performance of PharmHemoSens for personalized dosing. By combining pharmacokinetic and physiological monitoring within a single skin-worn device, this work offers a practical foundation for closed-loop, individualized drug management.
{"title":"Wearable Nanosensor for Noninvasive Multimodal Monitoring of Theophylline Pharmacokinetics and Hemodynamics","authors":"Jingjuan Wang, Jing Bai, Chong-Bo Ma, Meihua Gu, Mimi Sun, Ming Zhou","doi":"10.1021/acssensors.5c03838","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.5c03838","url":null,"abstract":"Monitoring the dynamic interactions between therapeutic drugs and physiological responses is essential for advancing precision medicine. The inter- and intrasubject variability in drug pharmacokinetics and physiological responses underscores the need for simultaneous and continuous monitoring of both parameters to address the limitations of current approaches that are invasive and unable to capture dynamic drug−body interactions. Here, we report a fully integrated epidermal nanosensor (termed PharmHemoSens) that enables real-time, noninvasive, and multimodal sweat monitoring of theophylline (THP), a widely prescribed medication for asthma, alongside key hemodynamic signals, including heart rate and blood pressure. PharmHemoSens monitors the sweat-based pharmacokinetic levels of THP at rest following its oral administration while simultaneously tracking the hemodynamic signals indicative of potential cardiovascular side effects, such as tachycardia and hypertension. On-body measurements demonstrate strong correlations between serum and sweat THP levels, validating the performance of PharmHemoSens for personalized dosing. By combining pharmacokinetic and physiological monitoring within a single skin-worn device, this work offers a practical foundation for closed-loop, individualized drug management.","PeriodicalId":24,"journal":{"name":"ACS Sensors","volume":"135 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146057105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.5c03683
Hannah Mann,Akansha Prasad,Fereshteh Bayat,Carlos D M Filipe,Zeinab Hosseinidoust,Tohid F Didar
Cell lysis to release intracellular targets is a vital step in many bacterial sensing platforms and is often achieved through chemical or physical approaches. However, these conventional methods can have certain limitations such as cost, required equipment, safety, or risk of target damage. Cell lysis induced by bacteriophages, which are bacteria-infecting viruses, has some notable advantages, including safety and the self-amplifying properties of phage. Bacteriophages also induce species-selective infection, enabling the targeted lysis of a specific bacterial species in mixed cultures. Despite this, bacteriophage-induced lysis has to date been relatively poorly adopted in the bacterial biosensing field. In this Perspective, we outline the potential benefits of bacteriophage lysis in biosensors, while also exploring the reasons that it has not been more widely adopted. We also identify future research directions to facilitate increased incorporation of bacteriophages into bacterial detection platforms, including improving the characterization, availability, and stability of phage strains.
{"title":"The Overlooked Power of Targeted Phage Lysis in Bacterial Biosensing.","authors":"Hannah Mann,Akansha Prasad,Fereshteh Bayat,Carlos D M Filipe,Zeinab Hosseinidoust,Tohid F Didar","doi":"10.1021/acssensors.5c03683","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.5c03683","url":null,"abstract":"Cell lysis to release intracellular targets is a vital step in many bacterial sensing platforms and is often achieved through chemical or physical approaches. However, these conventional methods can have certain limitations such as cost, required equipment, safety, or risk of target damage. Cell lysis induced by bacteriophages, which are bacteria-infecting viruses, has some notable advantages, including safety and the self-amplifying properties of phage. Bacteriophages also induce species-selective infection, enabling the targeted lysis of a specific bacterial species in mixed cultures. Despite this, bacteriophage-induced lysis has to date been relatively poorly adopted in the bacterial biosensing field. In this Perspective, we outline the potential benefits of bacteriophage lysis in biosensors, while also exploring the reasons that it has not been more widely adopted. We also identify future research directions to facilitate increased incorporation of bacteriophages into bacterial detection platforms, including improving the characterization, availability, and stability of phage strains.","PeriodicalId":24,"journal":{"name":"ACS Sensors","volume":"117 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146056935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.5c03052
Wookyoung Jang,Chang-Woo Song,Jinhwa Hong,Soon Young Lim,Dong Ge Ra Mi Moon,Hye Yeon Roh,Kyong Hwa Park,Chang-Soo Han,Ki Wan Bong
Extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived microRNA (miRNA) is a promising biomarker for various diseases, including cancer. However, the current EV-miRNA detection technologies, such as RT-qPCR and microarray, have depended on the complex amplification and labeling processes, which are not preferred for constructing an on-site diagnosis system. Herein, we present an EV-miRNA detection platform utilizing micropore sensing based on peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-functionalized hydrogel barcodes. Based on the low background signal and high affinity to the miRNA of the PNA probes, the breast cancer-related miRNAs (miR-21 and let-7a) can be detected with femtomolar sensitivities (481 and 551 fM) without any amplification and labeling steps by penetrating the target-captured barcodes into the pore and analyzing the electrical signal. By designing the geometrical codes of the particles, the multiplexed detection of miR-21 and let-7a can be implemented with high specificity and practically applicable recovery rates. Finally, we validate the clinical potential of the presented assay by differentiating the expression patterns of the plasma EV-derived miR-21 and let-7a between the breast cancer patients and healthy donors.
{"title":"Amplification-Free and Label-Free Multiplexed Profiling of Extracellular Vesicle-Derived MicroRNA via Micropore Sensing Based on PNA-Functionalized Hydrogel Barcodes.","authors":"Wookyoung Jang,Chang-Woo Song,Jinhwa Hong,Soon Young Lim,Dong Ge Ra Mi Moon,Hye Yeon Roh,Kyong Hwa Park,Chang-Soo Han,Ki Wan Bong","doi":"10.1021/acssensors.5c03052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.5c03052","url":null,"abstract":"Extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived microRNA (miRNA) is a promising biomarker for various diseases, including cancer. However, the current EV-miRNA detection technologies, such as RT-qPCR and microarray, have depended on the complex amplification and labeling processes, which are not preferred for constructing an on-site diagnosis system. Herein, we present an EV-miRNA detection platform utilizing micropore sensing based on peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-functionalized hydrogel barcodes. Based on the low background signal and high affinity to the miRNA of the PNA probes, the breast cancer-related miRNAs (miR-21 and let-7a) can be detected with femtomolar sensitivities (481 and 551 fM) without any amplification and labeling steps by penetrating the target-captured barcodes into the pore and analyzing the electrical signal. By designing the geometrical codes of the particles, the multiplexed detection of miR-21 and let-7a can be implemented with high specificity and practically applicable recovery rates. Finally, we validate the clinical potential of the presented assay by differentiating the expression patterns of the plasma EV-derived miR-21 and let-7a between the breast cancer patients and healthy donors.","PeriodicalId":24,"journal":{"name":"ACS Sensors","volume":"87 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146056936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Traditional protein analysis methods rely on invasive sample collection and professional operators, which is not conducive to in situ monitoring. Despite recent advancements in wearable sweat sensors enabling noninvasive monitoring of various biochemical small molecules (e.g., electrolytes, metabolites, nutrients, and hormones), the simple, stable, and sensitive detection of protein biomarkers in sweat remains challenging and underexplored. Herein, we report a wearable sweat sensing patch (WSSP) integrated with lateral flow biosensing technology, which enables noninvasive, real-time, specific, and sensitive detection of inflammatory factors in sweat, such as C-reactive protein (CRP). The patch seamlessly integrates gentle self-heating sweat induction, flexible microfluidics, and lateral flow immunoassay on human epidermis, achieving an all-in-one platform for in situ sweat generation, collection, transport, and detection. The colorimetric signal can be acquired using a smartphone-integrated detection box and accurately interpreted through machine learning algorithms. The WSSP can monitor sweat CRP levels both at rest and during exercise, reflecting dynamic changes before and after exercise and revealing potential inflammatory responses. The wearable lateral flow patch advances wearable sensor technologies toward sweat protein detection, laying the foundation for its further clinical application.
{"title":"Wearable Lateral Flow Patch for Noninvasive Sweat Protein Monitoring.","authors":"Yongxiang Ji,Zhongzeng Zhou,Benxing Su,Litong Chen,Jing Wang,Tailin Xu,Xueji Zhang","doi":"10.1021/acssensors.5c03500","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.5c03500","url":null,"abstract":"Traditional protein analysis methods rely on invasive sample collection and professional operators, which is not conducive to in situ monitoring. Despite recent advancements in wearable sweat sensors enabling noninvasive monitoring of various biochemical small molecules (e.g., electrolytes, metabolites, nutrients, and hormones), the simple, stable, and sensitive detection of protein biomarkers in sweat remains challenging and underexplored. Herein, we report a wearable sweat sensing patch (WSSP) integrated with lateral flow biosensing technology, which enables noninvasive, real-time, specific, and sensitive detection of inflammatory factors in sweat, such as C-reactive protein (CRP). The patch seamlessly integrates gentle self-heating sweat induction, flexible microfluidics, and lateral flow immunoassay on human epidermis, achieving an all-in-one platform for in situ sweat generation, collection, transport, and detection. The colorimetric signal can be acquired using a smartphone-integrated detection box and accurately interpreted through machine learning algorithms. The WSSP can monitor sweat CRP levels both at rest and during exercise, reflecting dynamic changes before and after exercise and revealing potential inflammatory responses. The wearable lateral flow patch advances wearable sensor technologies toward sweat protein detection, laying the foundation for its further clinical application.","PeriodicalId":24,"journal":{"name":"ACS Sensors","volume":"36 1","pages":"XXX"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146056937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.5c03020
Lingyun Li, Yunxiang Wang, Liyan Liu, Yufeng Lou, Kai Lin, Teng Li, Chaoran Yu, Yongjun Han, Hongjuan Wei, Dongfeng Wang, Shengqi Wang, Zhen Rong
The early screening, precise diagnosis, and effective treatment of invasive cervical cancer necessitate at-home molecular testing of human papillomaviruses (HPVs). However, current HPV DNA tests cannot meet the need for an affordable, rapid, and accurate diagnosis using a streamlined workflow. Here, we present a miniaturized single-step duplex CRISPR diagnostic platform, termed SCOPEv2 (Streamlined CRISPR On Pod Evaluation platform, version 2), for rapid and highly sensitive at-home molecular testing of high-risk HPV16 and HPV18 for population screening of cervical cancer. Dual-target recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) was initially incorporated with Cas12a/Cas13a cleavage reactions in a single-step reaction system. A miniaturized and low-cost dual-color wireless analysis device was further developed to execute the analysis workflow. SCOPEv2 can detect HPV16 and HPV18 with limits of detection of 2.5 copies/μL (5 copies/reaction) and 5 copies/μL (10 copies/reaction) in 30 min, respectively. The analysis results for 128 clinical cervicovaginal swab samples revealed 94.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity. SCOPEv2 demonstrates an easy-to-use workflow, low cost, high analytical performance, and superior clinical feasibility, which enable accurate and simultaneous point-of-care testing of HPV16 and HPV18.
侵袭性宫颈癌的早期筛查、精确诊断和有效治疗需要在家中进行人乳头瘤病毒（hpv）的分子检测。然而，目前的HPV DNA检测无法满足使用简化工作流程进行负担得起、快速和准确诊断的需求。在这里，我们提出了一个小型的单步双工CRISPR诊断平台，称为SCOPEv2 (Streamlined CRISPR On Pod Evaluation platform, version 2)，用于快速和高灵敏度的高危HPV16和HPV18的家庭分子检测，用于宫颈癌人群筛查。双靶重组酶聚合酶扩增（Dual-target recombinase polymerase amplification， RPA）最初与Cas12a/Cas13a裂解反应结合在单步反应体系中。进一步开发了一种小型化、低成本的双色无线分析装置来执行分析工作流程。SCOPEv2在30 min内检测HPV16和HPV18的检出限分别为2.5拷贝/μL（5拷贝/反应）和5拷贝/μL（10拷贝/反应）。128份临床宫颈阴道拭子样本的分析结果显示，敏感性为94.7%，特异性为100%。SCOPEv2具有易于使用的工作流程、低成本、高分析性能和卓越的临床可行性，可实现HPV16和HPV18的准确和同步护理点检测。
{"title":"Miniaturized Single-Step Duplex CRISPR Diagnostic Platform for At-Home Molecular Testing of HPV16 and HPV18","authors":"Lingyun Li, Yunxiang Wang, Liyan Liu, Yufeng Lou, Kai Lin, Teng Li, Chaoran Yu, Yongjun Han, Hongjuan Wei, Dongfeng Wang, Shengqi Wang, Zhen Rong","doi":"10.1021/acssensors.5c03020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.5c03020","url":null,"abstract":"The early screening, precise diagnosis, and effective treatment of invasive cervical cancer necessitate at-home molecular testing of human papillomaviruses (HPVs). However, current HPV DNA tests cannot meet the need for an affordable, rapid, and accurate diagnosis using a streamlined workflow. Here, we present a miniaturized single-step duplex CRISPR diagnostic platform, termed SCOPEv2 (Streamlined CRISPR On Pod Evaluation platform, version 2), for rapid and highly sensitive at-home molecular testing of high-risk HPV16 and HPV18 for population screening of cervical cancer. Dual-target recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) was initially incorporated with Cas12a/Cas13a cleavage reactions in a single-step reaction system. A miniaturized and low-cost dual-color wireless analysis device was further developed to execute the analysis workflow. SCOPEv2 can detect HPV16 and HPV18 with limits of detection of 2.5 copies/μL (5 copies/reaction) and 5 copies/μL (10 copies/reaction) in 30 min, respectively. The analysis results for 128 clinical cervicovaginal swab samples revealed 94.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity. SCOPEv2 demonstrates an easy-to-use workflow, low cost, high analytical performance, and superior clinical feasibility, which enable accurate and simultaneous point-of-care testing of HPV16 and HPV18.","PeriodicalId":24,"journal":{"name":"ACS Sensors","volume":"72 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.5c03955
Yang Zhang, Feng Hu, Ruiyun Zhou, Tianxi Yang, Pengcheng Cai, Pierre Picchetti, Xiaowei Huang, Zhihua Li, Xiaodong Zhai, Roujia Zhang, Junjun Zhang, Jiyong Shi, Zhiming Guo, Shipeng Gao, Xiaobo Zou
Despite substantial progress in biosensor development, achieving reliable sensitivity and selectivity under real-world conditions remains challenging, particularly in complex and heterogeneous sample matrices. While sensitivity has historically been the primary focus of biosensor optimization, selectivity often emerges as a limiting factor for practical performance when deployed outside controlled laboratory environments. Poor selectivity can lead to false-positive or false-negative results, thereby undermining the reliability and accuracy of biosensing platforms. A major contributor to this problem is nonspecific binding, the unintended interaction between biosensor and nontarget species. However, the origins, mechanism, and implications of nonspecific binding remain insufficiently understood and are still actively debated within the scientific community. In this review, we trace the conceptual development of nonspecific binding and critically examine its physicochemical origins in substrates and biorecognition elements. We then assess recent progress in recognition elements, such as antibodies, aptamers, and enzymes, emphasizing not only their strengths but also their limitations and vulnerability to off-target interactions. To mitigate nonspecific binding, we summarize a range of emerging strategies, including optimizing the conjugation and orientation and increasing binding site accessibility and density through structural design, removing interfering species, and implementing signal-level strategies. Finally, we outline persisting challenges and future directions for enhancing biosensor selectivity. Collectively, these insights offer a roadmap for designing next-generation biosensors with high accuracy, robust selectivity, and real-world applicability.
{"title":"Enhancing Selectivity in Affinity Biosensors through Biorecognition-Driven Suppression of Nonspecific Binding","authors":"Yang Zhang, Feng Hu, Ruiyun Zhou, Tianxi Yang, Pengcheng Cai, Pierre Picchetti, Xiaowei Huang, Zhihua Li, Xiaodong Zhai, Roujia Zhang, Junjun Zhang, Jiyong Shi, Zhiming Guo, Shipeng Gao, Xiaobo Zou","doi":"10.1021/acssensors.5c03955","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.5c03955","url":null,"abstract":"Despite substantial progress in biosensor development, achieving reliable sensitivity and selectivity under real-world conditions remains challenging, particularly in complex and heterogeneous sample matrices. While sensitivity has historically been the primary focus of biosensor optimization, selectivity often emerges as a limiting factor for practical performance when deployed outside controlled laboratory environments. Poor selectivity can lead to false-positive or false-negative results, thereby undermining the reliability and accuracy of biosensing platforms. A major contributor to this problem is nonspecific binding, the unintended interaction between biosensor and nontarget species. However, the origins, mechanism, and implications of nonspecific binding remain insufficiently understood and are still actively debated within the scientific community. In this review, we trace the conceptual development of nonspecific binding and critically examine its physicochemical origins in substrates and biorecognition elements. We then assess recent progress in recognition elements, such as antibodies, aptamers, and enzymes, emphasizing not only their strengths but also their limitations and vulnerability to off-target interactions. To mitigate nonspecific binding, we summarize a range of emerging strategies, including optimizing the conjugation and orientation and increasing binding site accessibility and density through structural design, removing interfering species, and implementing signal-level strategies. Finally, we outline persisting challenges and future directions for enhancing biosensor selectivity. Collectively, these insights offer a roadmap for designing next-generation biosensors with high accuracy, robust selectivity, and real-world applicability.","PeriodicalId":24,"journal":{"name":"ACS Sensors","volume":"4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biofluids are ideal sample sources for wearable in situ surface-enhanced Raman scattering (IS-SERS) sensors due to their noninvasive collection. However, the limited spatial reach of conventional hot spots (HSs), coupled with the fluidic and biocomplex nature of biofluids, means that only a small portion of target analytes can be effectively captured inside the HSs. To overcome this, we propose a metal@MOF particle-in-cavity (MMPIC) detection model. This architecture enhances the cascade electric field, expanding and concentrating HSs within and around the MOF dielectric. The integration of conical nanocavities with nanoporous MOFs enables effective analyte confinement and enrichment within the MOF matrix as well, ensuring colocalization with HSs in the same microregion. Additionally, the molecular sieving and graded refractive index properties of the MMPIC structure provide strong resistance to interference from both biofluids and their components. Together, these features improve both the sensitivity and robustness of the model. As a proof of concept, a microfluidic patch and a smart mask were developed based on the MMPIC model, enabling precise quantification of biomarkers-such as pH, glucose, ammonia, and 4-ethylbenzaldehyde-down to 1 ppb in real human sweat and exhaled breath. This work introduces a universal wearable IS-SERS detection model and validates its applicability across diverse real-world scenarios, offering valuable guidance for future wearable in situ sensing technologies.
{"title":"Wearable In Situ SERS Sensors Based on the Metal@MOF Particle-in-Cavity Model: Suitable for Detection of Multifarious Biomarkers in Different Biofluids of Humans.","authors":"Hao Li,Chongfeng Cao,Fengcai Lei,Minghui Du,Xiaofei Zhao,Zhen Li,Chao Zhang,Yang Jiao,Jing Yu","doi":"10.1021/acssensors.5c04143","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.5c04143","url":null,"abstract":"Biofluids are ideal sample sources for wearable in situ surface-enhanced Raman scattering (IS-SERS) sensors due to their noninvasive collection. However, the limited spatial reach of conventional hot spots (HSs), coupled with the fluidic and biocomplex nature of biofluids, means that only a small portion of target analytes can be effectively captured inside the HSs. To overcome this, we propose a metal@MOF particle-in-cavity (MMPIC) detection model. This architecture enhances the cascade electric field, expanding and concentrating HSs within and around the MOF dielectric. The integration of conical nanocavities with nanoporous MOFs enables effective analyte confinement and enrichment within the MOF matrix as well, ensuring colocalization with HSs in the same microregion. Additionally, the molecular sieving and graded refractive index properties of the MMPIC structure provide strong resistance to interference from both biofluids and their components. Together, these features improve both the sensitivity and robustness of the model. As a proof of concept, a microfluidic patch and a smart mask were developed based on the MMPIC model, enabling precise quantification of biomarkers-such as pH, glucose, ammonia, and 4-ethylbenzaldehyde-down to 1 ppb in real human sweat and exhaled breath. This work introduces a universal wearable IS-SERS detection model and validates its applicability across diverse real-world scenarios, offering valuable guidance for future wearable in situ sensing technologies.","PeriodicalId":24,"journal":{"name":"ACS Sensors","volume":"22 1","pages":"XXX"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146056390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.5c03258
Sihao Zhi, Liang Zhao, Yunpeng Xing, Hongda Zhang, Chengchao Yu, Teng Fei, Sen Liu, Haiyan Zhang, Tong Zhang
An increase in surface-adsorbed oxygen species presents unique opportunities to improve the sensing performance of metal oxide-based gas sensors. However, the instability of surface-adsorbed oxygen species, especially in the gas sensing process, decreases the sensing performance. This study reveals the performance‒stability paradox of surface-adsorbed oxygen species for Co3O4-based acetone sensors. A hydrothermal synthesis method assisted by P123 was used to prepare Co3O4 with an appropriate surface-adsorbed oxygen species (designated as Co3O4-AP). Unlike Co3O4 with less surface-adsorbed oxygen species, as-prepared Co3O4-AP exhibited a high response value of 19.0 (100 ppm acetone) on the first day but decreased to 13.9 on the seventh day, with a relative standard deviation of 15.7% in terms of resistance and 15.0% in terms of response values, respectively, owing to the loss of surface-adsorbed oxygen species during the sensing process (mainly the filling of oxygen vacancies by O2). Owing to the instability of surface-adsorbed oxygen species, aging at 240 °C in air for 2 days was rationally performed for Co3O4-AP, decreasing the surface-adsorbed oxygen species concentration and improving the stability of Co3O4-AP. Notably, after aging for 2 days, the Co3O4-AP sensor achieves a response value of 12.9 (100 ppm acetone), high selectivity, and good stability (relative standard deviations of 7.0 and 9.1% in terms of resistance and response values, respectively), outperforming acetone sensors based on Co3O4 obtained by hydrothermal synthesis without P123 (7.2), the coprecipitation method (7.6), and the direct calcination method (3.5). Our work provides new insights into overcoming the performance‒stability trade-off and designing highly stable and high-performing gas sensors.
{"title":"Optimizing the Stability of Co3O4 for Acetone Sensing by Oxygen Vacancy Alteration","authors":"Sihao Zhi, Liang Zhao, Yunpeng Xing, Hongda Zhang, Chengchao Yu, Teng Fei, Sen Liu, Haiyan Zhang, Tong Zhang","doi":"10.1021/acssensors.5c03258","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.5c03258","url":null,"abstract":"An increase in surface-adsorbed oxygen species presents unique opportunities to improve the sensing performance of metal oxide-based gas sensors. However, the instability of surface-adsorbed oxygen species, especially in the gas sensing process, decreases the sensing performance. This study reveals the performance‒stability paradox of surface-adsorbed oxygen species for Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-based acetone sensors. A hydrothermal synthesis method assisted by P123 was used to prepare Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> with an appropriate surface-adsorbed oxygen species (designated as Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-AP). Unlike Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> with less surface-adsorbed oxygen species, as-prepared Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-AP exhibited a high response value of 19.0 (100 ppm acetone) on the first day but decreased to 13.9 on the seventh day, with a relative standard deviation of 15.7% in terms of resistance and 15.0% in terms of response values, respectively, owing to the loss of surface-adsorbed oxygen species during the sensing process (mainly the filling of oxygen vacancies by O<sub>2</sub>). Owing to the instability of surface-adsorbed oxygen species, aging at 240 °C in air for 2 days was rationally performed for Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-AP, decreasing the surface-adsorbed oxygen species concentration and improving the stability of Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-AP. Notably, after aging for 2 days, the Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-AP sensor achieves a response value of 12.9 (100 ppm acetone), high selectivity, and good stability (relative standard deviations of 7.0 and 9.1% in terms of resistance and response values, respectively), outperforming acetone sensors based on Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> obtained by hydrothermal synthesis without P123 (7.2), the coprecipitation method (7.6), and the direct calcination method (3.5). Our work provides new insights into overcoming the performance‒stability trade-off and designing highly stable and high-performing gas sensors.","PeriodicalId":24,"journal":{"name":"ACS Sensors","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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