by non-DNA-based detection techniques. These pathogenic disease-related biomarkers
can be detected by methods involving nanostructures. Nanomaterials modified sensors
require minute sample concentrations and provide accurate results with high sensitivity.
Nanoparticles-based sensors possess magnetic and optical properties for detecting pa
thogenic bacteria in real samples. Bimetallic gold-silver nanocluster was synthesized
for detecting Campylobacter jejuni. Bimetallic NPs possess optical properties and enhance
the optical intensity, color perception, and sensitivity for Campylobacter jejuni. The de
tection of the bacterium was also done by immunoassay. The sensor exhibited an ac
ceptable linear range with a LOD of 10 CFU/mL [42].
8.7.3 Acoustic Sensor
An acoustic wave sensor, also known as quartz crystal microbalance quantify thin film by
identifying the resonance frequency. These sensors simultaneously detect changes in
electrical and mechanical properties. They are used in biomarker detection, especially the
malignant tumor-related biomarkers for early-stage disease screening [43].
Glial-fibrillary-acidic protein is expressed by astrocytes in the central nervous system.
This protein acts as a biomarker in brain-related diseases. The presence of glial-
fibrillary-acidic protein in circulating blood is the indicator of diseases such as glio
blastoma multiforme (GBM) and multiple sclerosis etc., In a study, an acoustic wave
sensor was used for the detection of glial-fibrillary-acidic protein. They fabricated an
ultra-high frequency wave sensor based on lab on a chip and detected the protein
from clinical samples with 35 pM concentrations. The authors suggested that this point
of care lab-on-a-chip can be used for multiple brain pathologies in detecting bio
markers [44].
8.8 Fluorescence (FL) Methods
Fluorescent probes are used in analytical sensing and optical imaging. Fluorescent probes
specifically interact with the target analyte under optimized conditions. In ratiometric
fluorescent sensors, fluorescent probes cause target-induced FL-intensity which results in
emission bands at different wavelengths. Dual emission ratiometric FL methods influence
the detection systems and background signals by improving the accuracy and reliability
during the detection process. In FL detection methods, naked-eye identification of target
reflects content changes of biomarkers in the detection system [45]. Fluorescent detection
of biomarkers comes under the photonic techniques in which detection of target bio
molecule occurs in the form of changes in absorbance, transmittance, luminescence, and
reflectance properties [46].
Norepinephrine is the biomarker of depression correlated with potassium ion con
centration. Zhou et al. synthesized a fluorescent probe for detecting K+-induced nor
epinephrine transduction signal in neuroendocrine PC12 cells [47]. Alkaline phosphatase
is the indicator of signal transduction and tumor metabolism. Alkaline phosphatase is the
combination of cysteine residues, Mg and Zn. In a study, a fluorescent probe was syn
thesized by the combination of quinoline malononitrile core decorated with a hydrophilic
phosphate group. The as-synthesized probe causes fluorescent detection of ALP by DQM-
OH aggregates in the presence of alkaline phosphatase. The FL probe can differentiate
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Bioelectronics