title: Bionanotechnology. Colloidal nanoparticles as advanced biological sensors.
abstract: Colloidal nanoparticle biosensors have received intense scientific attention and offer promising applications in both research and medicine. We review the state of the art in nanoparticle development, surface chemistry, and biosensing mechanisms, discussing how a range of technologies are contributing toward commercial and clinical translation. Recent examples of success include the ultrasensitive detection of cancer biomarkers in human serum and in vivo sensing of methyl mercury. We identify five key materials challenges, including the development of robust mass-scale nanoparticle synthesis methods, and five broader challenges, including the use of simulations and bioinformatics-driven experimental approaches for predictive modeling of biosensor performance. The resultant generation of nanoparticle biosensors will form the basis of high-performance analytical assays, effective multiplexed intracellular sensors, and sophisticated in vivo probes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
authors.forename: Philip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Howes
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
authors.forename: Rona
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chandrawati
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK. m.stevens@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Molly M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; D003102:Colloids; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids