Emerging advances in biosensor technologies for quorum sensing signal molecules

Quorum sensing is a physiological phenomenon of microbial cell-to-cell information exchange, which relies on the quorum sensing signal molecules (QSSMs) to communicate and coordinate collective processes. Quorum sensing enables bacteria to alter their behavior as the population density and species composition of the bacterial community change. Effective detection of QSSMs is paramount for regulating microbial community behavior. However, traditional detection methods face the shortcomings of complex operation, high costs, and lack of portability. By combining the advantage of biosensing and nanomaterials, the biosensors play a pivotal significance in QSSM detection. In this review, we first briefly describe the QSSM classification and common detection techniques. Then, we provide a comprehensive summary of research progress in biosensor-based QSSM detection according to the transduction mechanism. Finally, challenges and development trends of biosensors for QSSM detection are discussed. We believe it offers valuable insights into this burgeoning research area.