Advancements in biosensor Technologies for Pathogen Detection: Innovations and comparison with conventional...

Rapid and accurate detection of pathogens is critical for clinical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, public health and food safety. Conventional diagnostic methods, such as culture-based, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are well established and widely used due to their proven analytical performance; however, the time required for analysis, processing of samples, instrumentation, and the need for trained personnel can limit their usefulness for rapid and on-site detection. Biosensor technologies have therefore become attractive analytical platforms for the rapid and sensitive detection of pathogens. The highlights of electrochemical, optical, nanoparticle, microfluidic and paper-based biosensors and their fundamental sensing principles, design strategies, applications, merits and drawbacks are discussed in this review. Biosensors have the potential to provide benefits such as portability, multiplexing, high sensitivity, rapid detection and point-of-care use as compared with conventional diagnostic methods. The potential for pathogen detection has been increased through significant developments in nanomaterial's, bio recognition strategies, sensor design and signal-transduction mechanisms. However, the complexity of sampling, sensor stability, sensor reproductively, fabrication, scalability, and validation remain key challenges affecting their implementation in practice. This review critically discusses the current technologies used in biosensors and their application and future perspective in clinical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental monitoring with conventional diagnostic methods.