Liquid Crystal Droplet-Based Biosensors: Promising for Point-of-Care Testing

Biosensors (Basel). 2022 Sep 15;12(9):758. doi: 10.3390/bios12090758.

Abstract

The development of biosensing platforms has been impressively accelerated by advancements in liquid crystal (LC) technology. High response rate, easy operation, and good stability of the LC droplet-based biosensors are all benefits of the long-range order of LC molecules. Bioprobes emerged when LC droplets were combined with biotechnology, and these bioprobes are used extensively for disease diagnosis, food safety, and environmental monitoring. The LC droplet biosensors have high sensitivity and excellent selectivity, making them an attractive tool for the label-free, economical, and real-time detection of different targets. Portable devices work well as the accessory kits for LC droplet-based biosensors to make them easier to use by anyone for on-site monitoring of targets. Herein, we offer a review of the latest developments in the design of LC droplet-based biosensors for qualitative target monitoring and quantitative target analysis.

Keywords: LC droplets; POC; biosensing; clinical applications; enzyme sensors; single-cell monitoring.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Biotechnology
  • Liquid Crystals* / chemistry
  • Point-of-Care Systems
  • Point-of-Care Testing