Innovations in aptamer-based biosensors for detection of pathogenic bacteria: Recent advances and perspective

The rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic bacteria is a pressing concern in the fields of public health, food safety, and environmental monitoring. However, traditional methods often prove to be slow and difficult to quantify accurately. Thus, there is a pressing need to develop advanced methods that enable rapid detection which is sensitive and inexpensive. Aptamers, which are short nucleic acid sequences derived through a process called systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), offer a promising alternative due to their unique binding characteristics. These properties confer several advantages over traditional antibodies, making aptamers effective and versatile bioreceptors for pathogen detection. Recent advancements have led to the development of various aptamer-based biosensors utilizing diverse signaling strategies, including optical, electrochemical, mass-based, paper-based and microchip capillary electrophoresis (MCE) methods. The integration of nanomaterials with aptamer technology has further enhanced biosensor performance by improving sensitivity and enabling real-time monitoring of bacterial contamination. In this review, the focus is on current developments in aptamer-based biosensors and their potential applications in clinical diagnostics, food safety and environmental monitoring. As research progresses, the customization of aptamer sequences for specific targets is expected to yield tailored diagnostic solutions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and public health responses. The continued exploration of aptamer technology marks a significant advancement in methodologies for detecting pathogenic bacteria, highlighting not only the promise of aptamers as effective detection tools but also the critical need for multidisciplinary collaboration, integrating molecular biology, materials science, and microfluidics, to overcome challenges in this field.