Current trends in the development of the electrochemiluminescent immunosensors

Area of Science:

• Biosensors and diagnostics
• Analytical chemistry
• Nanomaterials in sensing

Background:

• Electrochemical luminescence (ECL) has emerged as a sensitive detection method for immunosensors.
• Significant advancements in ECL immunosensor technology occurred between 2008 and 2013.
• The field has seen evolution in assay formats, detection mechanisms, and instrumentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of current trends and developments in ECL-based immunosensors (2008-2013).
• To highlight key innovations in materials, assay strategies, and device integration.
• To discuss future perspectives and challenges in the field.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature and systematization of data on ECL immunosensors.
• Analysis of qualitative changes, assay formats, and detection mechanisms.
• Examination of commercial instrument features and fabrication techniques for solid-state sensors.

Main Results:

• Detailed data on biomarkers, immunoassay formats, and novel ECL labels/supports (nanocrystals, graphene, CNTs, etc.) are presented.
• Progress in multiplexing analysis (multi-label, multianalyte) and microfluidic integration for point-of-care diagnostics is discussed.
• Emergence of immuno-like sensors using molecularly imprinted polymers as an alternative to traditional immunoassays.

Conclusions:

• ECL immunosensors have rapidly developed, with significant progress in materials science and device engineering.
• Multiplexing and microfluidic integration are key trends for advanced diagnostics.
• Alternative sensing platforms, like those using molecularly imprinted polymers, offer new possibilities.