Advances in Nanotechnology-Based Biosensors for Disease Diagnosis

The foundation of human medicine and therapeutics lies in accurate and prompt diagnosis of the underlying cause of malaise. Biosensors have proven invaluable when incorporated in clinical practice. In recent years, the embodiment of nanomaterials in biosensors has shown promising results and improved sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of major causes of morbidity and mortality, such as cancer, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Metal-based nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes and quantum dots are some of the most commonly used materials in the manufacturing of biosensors. In this review, the main biosensing methods, such as electrochemical, optical and piezoelectric, are presented. Furthermore, both established and emerging trends in biosensing methods for quick, reliable and safe disease diagnosis are being explored. Finally, future perspectives for point-of-care sensing systems and the development of biosensors for novel biomarkers are discussed.