Liquid crystal-based biosensors for clinical diagnostics

Liquid crystal (LC)-based biosensors are emerging as a powerful and versatile platform for the detection of a wide range of biomarkers. This review comprehensively examines the fundamental principles underpinning these sensors, where the precise orientation of LCs is perturbed by biological binding events, translating molecular interactions into macroscopic optical signals visible under polarized light. This review article provides an overview of LC-based diagnostic technologies. We begin by introducing the fundamental materials science of LCs and the core optical detection methods that underpin their sensing capabilities. Subsequently, we critically examine their emerging applications in clinical diagnostics, with a focused analysis of their use in detecting major diseases such as cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders, and various infectious agents. We discuss recent advancements in the design of LC biosensors for detecting proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules, highlighting their exceptional sensitivity and label-free operation. Finally, we offer a perspective on the future development and commercialization potential of LC biosensors in the evolving diagnostic landscape.