Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Detection of Pathogens Using Metal Nanoclusters: A Systematic Review

The rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic bacteria and viruses is critical for infectious disease control and public health protection. While conventional methods (e.g., culture, microscopy, serology, and PCR) are widely used, they are often limited by lengthy processing times, high costs, and...

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Main Authors: Mahsa Shahrashoob, Mahdiyar Dehshiri, Vahid Yousefi, Mahdi Moassesfar, Hamidreza Saberi, Fatemeh Molaabasi, Yasser Zare, Kyong Yop Rhee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Biosensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/7/460
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author Mahsa Shahrashoob
Mahdiyar Dehshiri
Vahid Yousefi
Mahdi Moassesfar
Hamidreza Saberi
Fatemeh Molaabasi
Yasser Zare
Kyong Yop Rhee
author_facet Mahsa Shahrashoob
Mahdiyar Dehshiri
Vahid Yousefi
Mahdi Moassesfar
Hamidreza Saberi
Fatemeh Molaabasi
Yasser Zare
Kyong Yop Rhee
author_sort Mahsa Shahrashoob
collection DOAJ
description The rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic bacteria and viruses is critical for infectious disease control and public health protection. While conventional methods (e.g., culture, microscopy, serology, and PCR) are widely used, they are often limited by lengthy processing times, high costs, and specialized equipment requirements. In recent years, metal nanocluster (MNC)-based biosensors have emerged as powerful diagnostic platforms due to their unique optical, catalytic, and electrochemical properties. This systematic review comprehensively surveys advancements in MNC-based biosensors for bacterial and viral pathogen detection, focusing on optical (colorimetric and fluorescence) and electrochemical platforms. Three key aspects are emphasized: (1) detection mechanisms, (2) nanocluster types and properties, and (3) applications in clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. The literature demonstrates that MNC-based biosensors provide high sensitivity, specificity, portability, and cost-efficiency. Moreover, the integration of nanotechnology with biosensing platforms enables real-time and point-of-care diagnostics. This review also discusses the limitations and future directions of the technology, emphasizing the need for enhanced stability, multiplex detection capability, and clinical validation. The findings offer valuable insights for developing next-generation biosensors with improved functionality and broader applicability in microbial diagnostics.
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spelling doaj-art-2ae44c8123f84a3b989d72268a0eba4d2025-08-20T02:45:33ZengMDPI AGBiosensors2079-63742025-07-0115746010.3390/bios15070460Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Detection of Pathogens Using Metal Nanoclusters: A Systematic ReviewMahsa Shahrashoob0Mahdiyar Dehshiri1Vahid Yousefi2Mahdi Moassesfar3Hamidreza Saberi4Fatemeh Molaabasi5Yasser Zare6Kyong Yop Rhee7Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1811694784, IranMedical Nanotechnology Group, Department of Interdisciplinary Technologies, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran 1517964311, IranMedical Nanotechnology Group, Department of Interdisciplinary Technologies, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran 1517964311, IranDepartment of Biochemistry and Biophysics, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1811694784, IranMedical Nanotechnology Group, Department of Interdisciplinary Technologies, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran 1517964311, IranMedical Nanotechnology Group, Department of Interdisciplinary Technologies, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran 1517964311, IranBiomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Interdisciplinary Technologies, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran 1517964311, IranDepartment of Mechanical Engineering (BK21 Four), College of Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of KoreaThe rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic bacteria and viruses is critical for infectious disease control and public health protection. While conventional methods (e.g., culture, microscopy, serology, and PCR) are widely used, they are often limited by lengthy processing times, high costs, and specialized equipment requirements. In recent years, metal nanocluster (MNC)-based biosensors have emerged as powerful diagnostic platforms due to their unique optical, catalytic, and electrochemical properties. This systematic review comprehensively surveys advancements in MNC-based biosensors for bacterial and viral pathogen detection, focusing on optical (colorimetric and fluorescence) and electrochemical platforms. Three key aspects are emphasized: (1) detection mechanisms, (2) nanocluster types and properties, and (3) applications in clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. The literature demonstrates that MNC-based biosensors provide high sensitivity, specificity, portability, and cost-efficiency. Moreover, the integration of nanotechnology with biosensing platforms enables real-time and point-of-care diagnostics. This review also discusses the limitations and future directions of the technology, emphasizing the need for enhanced stability, multiplex detection capability, and clinical validation. The findings offer valuable insights for developing next-generation biosensors with improved functionality and broader applicability in microbial diagnostics.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/7/460metal nanocluster-based biosensorsvirus detectionbacterial detectionmicrobial infectionsnanobiosensors
spellingShingle Mahsa Shahrashoob
Mahdiyar Dehshiri
Vahid Yousefi
Mahdi Moassesfar
Hamidreza Saberi
Fatemeh Molaabasi
Yasser Zare
Kyong Yop Rhee
Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Detection of Pathogens Using Metal Nanoclusters: A Systematic Review
Biosensors
metal nanocluster-based biosensors
virus detection
bacterial detection
microbial infections
nanobiosensors
title Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Detection of Pathogens Using Metal Nanoclusters: A Systematic Review
title_full Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Detection of Pathogens Using Metal Nanoclusters: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Detection of Pathogens Using Metal Nanoclusters: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Detection of Pathogens Using Metal Nanoclusters: A Systematic Review
title_short Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Detection of Pathogens Using Metal Nanoclusters: A Systematic Review
title_sort optical and electrochemical biosensors for detection of pathogens using metal nanoclusters a systematic review
topic metal nanocluster-based biosensors
virus detection
bacterial detection
microbial infections
nanobiosensors
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/7/460
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