Challenges and advances in aptamer-based biosensing approaches

Infectious diseases persevere as a concerning source of the global problem. Precise and fast detection of infectious pathogens and their targeted treatments are vital for combating infectious diseases at the point of care (POC). The recent widespread pandemic COVID-19 in the world has reflected the significance of the advancement of POC diagnostics for appropriate avoidance and management of the pandemic. POC diagnostics exhibit various advantages over old time-consuming diagnostic methods including low manufacturing cost, efficiency, high diagnostic speed, enhanced sensitivity and specificity, and capability of on-site detection. Owing to their unique characteristics, aptamers have been extensively used as biorecognition elements for the progress of infection diagnostic systems. This chapter includes the currently available aptamer-based technologies in detecting viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens for worldwide well-being applications. The report of broad aptasensing principles and recent developments in aptamer-based POC will be discussed. It will also include the major challenges that rising technology is facing in the pursuit of collecting these novel devices from the research laboratory to society.