Nanomaterial-enhanced paper-based biosensors

Nanomaterial-enhanced paper-based biosensors, including lateral-flow test-strip (LFTS), and paper microfluidic devices, provide powerful analytical platforms for the development of affordable, portable, low-cost technologies for point-of-care and in-field assays. By combining with different kinds of nanopartides (NPs), the nanomaterial-based LFTS and paper microfluidic devices are showing great potential in enhancing detection sensitivity and selectivity. In this review, we provide a general overview of paper-based biosensing techniques, in which various NPs are involved, especially applications in biomedical and environmental studies. The first part provides detailed examples in LFTSs, while the second part gives a brief overview of paper microfluidics. Nanomaterial-enhanced paper-based biosensors could be used in physicians' office laboratories, nursing homes, hospitals, and the home. They may also make a great impact in global health in diagnosing health conditions in developing countries. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.