A Review On Zno-Based Electrical Biosensors for Cardiac Biomarker Detection

Abstract

Over the past few decades zinc oxide (ZnO)-based thin films and nanostructures have shown unprecedented performance in a wide range of applications. In particular, owing to high isoelectric point, biocompatibility and other multifunctional characteristics, ZnO has extensively been studied as a transduction material for biosensor development. The fascinating properties of ZnO help retain biological activity of the immobilized biomolecule and help in achieving enhanced sensing performance. As a consequence of recent advancements in this multidisciplinary field, diagnostic biosensors are expanding beyond traditional clinical labs to point-of-care and home settings. Label-free electrical detection of biomarkers has been demonstrated using ZnO-sensing platforms. In this review we highlight the characteristics of ZnO that enable realization of its use in development of point-of-care biosensors toward disease diagnosis, in particular cardiovascular diseases.

Lay abstract: The goal of this review is to discuss the features of ZnO in enhancing the sensitivity and selectivity of biomarker detection toward the development of point-of-care diagnostic devices. Basic biosensor design features and fabrication of ZnO nanostructures, strategies for surface modifications and its application toward disease diagnosis are discussed.

Keywords::

• biomarker
• biosensor
• disease diagnosis
• electrical detection
• POC
• point-of-care
• zinc oxide

Author contributions

NR Shanmugam, S Muthukumar and S Prasad conceptualized the idea. NR Shanmugam wrote the manuscript. S Muthukumar and S Prasad read and commented on the manuscript.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank David Kinnamon for his efforts in proofreading this manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.