Personalized point-of-care testing (POCT) devices, such as wearable sensors, enable quick access to health monitoring without the use of complex instruments. Wearable sensors are gaining popularity owing to their ability to offer regular and continuous monitoring of physiological data by dynamic, non-invasive assessments of biomarkers in biofluids such as tear, sweat, interstitial fluid and saliva. Current advancements have concentrated on the development of optical and electrochemical wearable sensors as well as advances in non-invasive measurements of biomarkers such as metabolites, hormones and microbes. For enhanced wearability and ease of operation, microfluidic sampling, multiple sensing, and portable systems have been incorporated with materials that are flexible. Although wearable sensors show promise and improved dependability, they still require more knowledge about interaction between the target sample concentrations in blood and non-invasive biofluids. In this review, we have described the importance of wearable sensors for POCT, their design and types of these devices. Following which, we emphasize on the current breakthroughs in the application of wearable sensors in the realm of wearable integrated POCT devices. Lastly, we discuss the present obstacles and forthcoming potentials including the use of Internet of Things (IoT) for offering self-healthcare using wearable POCT.
Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with chemical and structural diversity have piqued the interest of the scientific community due to their superior photonic, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and catalytic capabilities that distinguish them from their bulk counterparts. Among these 2D materials, two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, carbonitrides, and nitrides with a general chemical formula of Mn+1XnTx (where n = 1–3), together known as MXenes, have gained tremendous popularity and demonstrated competitive performance in biosensing applications. In this review, we focus on the cutting-edge advances in MXene-related biomaterials, with a systematic summary on their design, synthesis, surface engineering approaches, unique properties, and biological properties. We particularly emphasize the property–activity–effect relationship of MXenes at the nano–bio interface. We also discuss the recent trends in the application of MXenes in accelerating the performance of conventional point of care (POC) devices towards more practical approaches as the next generation of POC tools. Finally, we explore in depth the existing problems, challenges, and potential for future improvement of MXene-based materials for POC testing, with the goal of facilitating their early realization of biological applications.
14 January 2023 in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews
One of the greatest challenges faced during surgical procedures is closing and healing of wounds, which are essential in the field of orthopaedics, trauma, intensive care and general surgery. One of the main causes of death has been linked to chronic wounds, especially in immunosuppressant or diabetic patients. Due to increasing chronic wound fatality along with different pathologies associated with them, the current therapeutic methods are insufficient which has established an eminent need for innovative techniques. Traditionally, wound healing was carried out using formulations and ointments containing silver combined with different biomaterial, but was found to be toxic. Hence, the advent of alternative nanomaterial-based therapeutics for effective wound healing have come into existence. In this review, we have discussed an overview of wound infections such as different wound types, the wound healing process, dressing of wounds and conventional therapies. Furthermore, we have explored various nanotechnological advances made in wound healing therapy which include the use of promising candidates such as organic, inorganic, hybrid nanoparticles/nanocomposites and synthetic/natural polymer-based nanofibers. This review further highlights nanomaterial-based applications for regeneration of tissue in wound healing and can provide a base for researchers worldwide to contribute to this advancing medical area of wound therapy.