Nonantibody-based recognition: alternative molecules for detection of pathogens

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biosensors

Background:

• Immunoassays and nucleic acid tests are established detection technologies but have limitations.
• These conventional assays require prior knowledge of the target and specific reagent development.
• Multiplexed detection of unknown targets poses significant challenges for current methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review alternative recognition reagents for pathogen and toxin detection.
• To explore systems that circumvent limitations of antibody- and nucleic acid-based assays.
• To discuss the potential and limitations of novel detection systems.

Main Methods:

• Review of various recognition systems, including small molecules (aptamers, carbohydrates, peptides) and complex systems (whole cells).
• Comparison of alternative systems with conventional immunoassays and nucleic acid tests.
• Discussion of sensitivity, selectivity, and stability of novel reagents.

Main Results:

• Alternative recognition systems show potential for superior sensitivity, selectivity, and stability.
• These systems range from small molecules to whole cells, offering diverse applications.
• Limitations inherent to each alternative system are also discussed.

Conclusions:

• The field of alternative recognition reagents is in its infancy but holds great promise.
• These novel systems can be highly complementary to existing antibody- and nucleic acid-based technologies.
• Development of rapid, fieldable assays is a key future direction.