Sustainable Protein Innovation: Evaluating Locust Protein Powder as a Meat Alternative in Emulsified Chicken Meatballs.

This study investigates the effects of incorporating migratory locust protein powder (MLPP) as a meat substitute in emulsified chicken meatballs, focusing on chemical composition, color stability, cooking loss, and oxidative stability during storage. The results revealed that increasing MLPP levels led to a reduction in moisture content while significantly enhancing protein and ash content (p < 0.05).

OptoAssay-Light-controlled dynamic bioassay using optogenetic switches.

Circumventing the limitations of current bioassays, we introduce a light-controlled assay, OptoAssay, toward wash- and pump-free point-of-care diagnostics. Extending the capabilities of standard bioassays with light-dependent and reversible interaction of optogenetic switches, OptoAssays enable a bidirectional movement of assay components, only by changing the wavelength of light. Demonstrating exceptional versatility, the OptoAssay showcases its efficacy on various substrates, delivering a dynamic bioassay format.

Unraveling the impact of therapeutic drug monitoring via machine learning for patients with sepsis.

Clinical studies investigating the benefits of beta-lactam therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) among critically ill patients are hindered by small patient groups, variability between studies, patient heterogeneity, and inadequate use of TDM. Accordingly, definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy of TDM remain elusive. To address these challenges, we propose an innovative approach that leverages data-driven methods to unveil the concealed connections between therapy effectiveness and patient data, collected through a randomized controlled trial (DRKS00011159; 10th October 2016).

Humanized brain organoids-on-chip integrated with sensors for screening neuronal activity and neurotoxicity.

The complex structure and function of the human central nervous system that develops from the neural tube made in vitro modeling quite challenging until the discovery of brain organoids. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells-derived brain organoids offer recapitulation of the features of early human neurodevelopment in vitro, including the generation, proliferation, and differentiation into mature neurons and micro-macroglial cells, as well as the complex interactions among these diverse cell types of the developing brain. Recent advancements in brain organoids, microfluidic systems, real-time sensing technologies, and their cutting-edge integrated use provide excellent models and tools for emulation of fundamental neurodevelopmental processes, the pathology of neurological disorders, personalized transplantation therapy, and high-throughput neurotoxicity testing by bridging the gap between two-dimensional models and the complex three-dimensional environment in vivo.

Emerging multianalyte biosensors for the simultaneous detection of protein and nucleic acid biomarkers.

Traditionally, biosensors are designed to detect one specific analyte. Nevertheless, disease progression is regulated in a highly interactive way by different classes of biomolecules like proteins and nucleic acids. Therefore, a more comprehensive analysis of biomarkers from a single sample is of utmost importance to further improve both, the accuracy of diagnosis as well as the therapeutic success.

Smart Wearable Nanopaper Patch for Continuous Multiplexed Optical Monitoring of Sweat Parameters.

Notwithstanding the substantial progress in optical wearable sensing devices, developing wearable optical sensors for simultaneous, real-time, and continuous monitoring of multiple biomarkers is still an important, yet unmet, demand. Aiming to address this need, we introduced for the first time a smart wearable optical sensor (SWOS) platform combining a multiplexed sweat sensor sticker with its IoT-enabled readout module. We employed our SWOS system for on-body continuous, real-time, and simultaneous fluorimetric monitoring of sweat volume (physical parameter) and pH (chemical marker).

A three-level model for therapeutic drug monitoring of antimicrobials at the site of infection.

The silent pandemic of bacterial antimicrobial resistance is a leading cause of death worldwide, prolonging hospital stays and raising health-care costs. Poor incentives to develop novel pharmacological compounds and the misuse of antibiotics contribute to the bacterial antimicrobial resistance crisis. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) based on blood analysis can help alleviate the emergence of bacterial antimicrobial resistance and effectively decreases the risk of toxic drug concentrations in patients' blood.

Wearable sweat analysis to determine biological age.

A real-time, noninvasive, and clinically applicable aging test in humans has yet to be established. Herein we propose a sweat- and wearable-based test to determine biological age. This test would empower users to monitor their aging process and take an active role in managing their lifestyle and health.

Multiplexed biosensor for point-of-care COVID-19 monitoring: CRISPR-powered unamplified RNA diagnostics and protein-based therapeutic drug management.

In late 2019 SARS-CoV-2 rapidly spread to become a global pandemic, therefore, measures to attenuate chains of infection, such as high-throughput screenings and isolation of carriers were taken. Prerequisite for a reasonable and democratic implementation of such measures, however, is the availability of sufficient testing opportunities (beyond reverse transcription PCR, the current gold standard). We, therefore, propose an electrochemical, microfluidic multiplexed polymer-based biosensor in combination with CRISPR/Cas-powered assays for low-cost and accessible point-of-care nucleic acid testing.

Challenges and Opportunities for Printed Electrical Gas Sensors.

Printed electrical gas sensors are a low-cost, lightweight, low-power, and potentially disposable alternative to gas sensors manufactured using conventional methods such as photolithography, etching, and chemical vapor deposition. The growing interest in Internet-of-Things, smart homes, wearable devices, and point-of-need sensors has been the main driver fueling the development of new classes of printed electrical gas sensors. In this Perspective, we provide an insight into the current research related to printed electrical gas sensors including materials, methods of fabrication, and applications in monitoring food quality, air quality, diagnosis of diseases, and detection of hazardous gases.

End-to-end design of wearable sensors.

Wearable devices provide an alternative pathway to clinical diagnostics by exploiting various physical, chemical and biological sensors to mine physiological (biophysical and/or biochemical) information in real time (preferably, continuously) and in a non-invasive or minimally invasive manner. These sensors can be worn in the form of glasses, jewellery, face masks, wristwatches, fitness bands, tattoo-like devices, bandages or other patches, and textiles. Wearables such as smartwatches have already proved their capability for the early detection and monitoring of the progression and treatment of various diseases, such as COVID-19 and Parkinson disease, through biophysical signals.

Designing electrochemical microfluidic multiplexed biosensors for on-site applications.

Clinical assessment based on a single biomarker is in many circumstances not sufficient for adequate diagnosis of a disease or for monitoring its therapy. Multiplexing, the measurement of multiple analytes from one sample and/or of the same target from different samples simultaneously, could enhance the accuracy of the diagnosis of diseases and their therapy success. Thus, there is a great and urgent demand for multiplexed biosensors allowing a low-cost, easy-to-use, and rapid on-site testing.

Emerging Biosensing Technologies for the Diagnostics of Viral Infectious Diseases.

Several viral infectious diseases appear limitless since the beginning of the 21 century, expanding into pandemic lengths. Thus, there are extensive efforts to provide more efficient means of diagnosis, a better understanding of acquired immunity, and improved monitoring of inflammatory biomarkers, as these are all crucial for controlling the spread of infection while aiding in vaccine development and improving patient outcomes. In this regard, various biosensors have been developed recently to streamline pathogen and immune response detection by addressing the limitations of traditional methods, including isothermal amplification-based systems and lateral flow assays.

Microfluidic Roadmap for Translational Nanotheranostics.

Nanotheranostic materials (NTMs) shed light on the mechanisms responsible for complex diseases such as cancer because they enable making a diagnosis, monitoring the disease progression, and applying a targeted therapy simultaneously. However, several issues such as the reproducibility and mass production of NTMs hamper their application for clinical practice. To address these issues and facilitate the clinical application of NTMs, microfluidic systems have been increasingly used.

CRISPR/Cas-powered nanobiosensors for diagnostics.

CRISPR diagnostics (CRISPR-Dx) offer a wide range of enhancements compared to traditional nanobiosensors by taking advantage of the excellent trans-cleavage activity of the CRISPR/Cas systems. However, the single-stranded DNA/RNA reporters of the current CRISPR-Dx suffer from poor stability and limited sensitivity, which make their application in complex biological environments difficult. In comparison, nanomaterials, especially metal nanoparticles, exhibits robust stability and desirable optical and electrocatalytical properties, which make them ideal as reporter molecules.

Current Technologies for RNA-Directed Liquid Diagnostics.

There is unequivocal acceptance of the variety of enormous potential liquid nucleic acid-based diagnostics seems to offer. However, the existing controversies and the increased awareness of RNA-based techniques in society during the current global COVID-19 pandemic have made the readiness of liquid nucleic acid-based diagnostics for routine use a matter of concern. In this regard-and in the context of oncology-our review presented and discussed the status quo of RNA-based liquid diagnostics.

Biosensor-Enabled Multiplexed On-Site Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antibiotics.

Personalized antibiotherapy ensures that the antibiotic concentration remains in the optimal therapeutic window to maximize efficacy, minimize side effects, and avoid the emergence of drug resistance due to insufficient dosing. However, such individualized schemes need frequent sampling to tailor the blood antibiotic concentrations. To optimally integrate therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) into the clinical workflow, antibiotic levels can either be measured in blood using point-of-care testing (POCT), or can rely on noninvasive sampling.

Low-Cost Optical Assays for Point-of-Care Diagnosis in Resource-Limited Settings.

Readily deployable, low-cost point-of-care medical devices such as lateral flow assays (LFAs), microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs), and microfluidic thread-based analytical devices (μTADs) are urgently needed in resource-poor settings. Governed by the ASSURED criteria (affordable, sensitive, specific, user-friendly, rapid and robust, equipment-free, and deliverability) set by the World Health Organization, these reliable platforms can screen a myriad of chemical and biological analytes including viruses, bacteria, proteins, electrolytes, and narcotics. The Ebola epidemic in 2014 and the ongoing pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 have exemplified the ever-increasing importance of timely diagnostics to limit the spread of diseases.

Sensors in blockchain.

Blockchain, the technology behind bitcoin, has stimulated global conversation around digital decentralization to connect societies and economies. Connected low-cost sensors within Internet of Things (IoT) networks may soon perform measurements, exchange data, and make decisions automatically over decentralized networks; these systems could improve healthcare, the quality of goods, and supply chain efficiency.

A CRISPR/Cas13a-powered catalytic electrochemical biosensor for successive and highly sensitive RNA diagnostics.

Rapid and specific quantitation of a variety of RNAs with low expression levels in early-stage cancer is highly desirable but remains a challenge. Here, we present a dual signal amplification strategy consisting of the CRISPR/Cas13a system and a catalytic hairpin DNA circuit (CHDC), integrated on a reusable electrochemical biosensor for rapid and accurate detection of RNAs. Signal amplification is accomplished through the unique combination of the CRISPR/Cas13a system with CHDC, achieving a limit of detection of 50 aM within a readout time of 6 min and an overall process time of 36 min, using a measuring volume of 10 μL.

CRISPR-powered electrochemical microfluidic multiplexed biosensor for target amplification-free miRNA diagnostics.

Recently the use of microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for a multitude of diseases has gained substantial significance for clinical as well as point-of-care diagnostics. Amongst other challenges, however, it holds the central requirement that the concentration of a given miRNA must be evaluated within the context of other factors in order to unambiguously diagnose one specific disease. In terms of the development of diagnostic methods and devices, this implies an inevitable demand for multiplexing in order to be able to gauge the abundance of several components of interest in a patient's sample in parallel.