Nano-Engineered Sensor Systems for Disease Diagnostics: Advances in Smart Healthcare Applications
Tianjun Ma, Jianhai Sun, Ning Xue, Jamal N. A. Hassan, Adeel Abbas
Abstract
Nano-engineered sensor systems represent a paradigm shift in disease diagnostics, offering unprecedented capabilities for precision medicine. This review methodically evaluates these advanced platforms, consolidating recent advancements across four critical clinical domains: diabetes monitoring, cancer detection, infectious disease diagnostics and cardiac/genetic health. We demonstrate how the unique properties of nanomaterials, such as graphene, quantum dots and plasmonic nanoparticles, are being harnessed to achieve remarkable gains in analytical sensitivity, selectivity and real-time monitoring. Specific breakthroughs include graphene-based sensors attaining clinically significant limits for continuous glucose monitoring, quantum dot bioconjugates enabling ultrasensitive imaging of cancer biomarkers and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) probes facilitating early tumor identification. Furthermore, nanosensors exhibit exceptional precision in detecting viral antigens and genetic mutations, underscoring their robust translational potential. Collectively, these developments signal a clear trajectory toward integrated, intelligent healthcare ecosystems. However, for these promising technologies to transition into accessible and cost-effective diagnostic solutions, persistent challenges in scalability, manufacturing reproducibility and long-term biocompatibility must be addressed through continued interdisciplinary innovation.