Review of the recent advances in Nano-biosensors and technologies for healthcare applications

The growing human population and the discovery of new diseases and emerging pandemics have increased the need for healthcare treatments and medications with innovative design. The emergence of nanotechnology provides a platform for novel diagnostic and therapeutic in vivo non-invasive detection and treatment of ailments.

It is now the era of IOT (internet of things) and data acquisition and interpretation from various parts of the human body in real time is possible with interconnected sensors and information transfer devices. Miniaturization, low power consumption and price with compatibility to existing network circuits are essential requirements in IOT. Biosensors made from nanostructured materials are the ideal choice due to the unique structural, chemical, and electronic properties of these materials with the advantage of large surface to volume ratio which makes them very successful for use as sensors for detection of diseases, drug carriers, filters, fillers and reaction catalysts in healthcare applications.

In this mini review, we will review the recent progress made in research and applications of biosensors in health and preventive medicine. The focus of the article will be on biosensors made from layered nanomaterials like graphene and its structural analogs molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) and boron nitride (BN). We will discuss and highlight the present capabilities of the different Nano forms of these materials in the detection and analysis of diseases. Their efficiency in terms of detection limits, sensitivity and adaptability to different environments will also be discussed. In addition, the challenges and future perspectives of using Nano-biosensors to develop efficient diagnostic, therapeutic and cost effective monitoring devices with smart technologies will be explored.