Paper-based Microfluidics Biosensors and Devices for Biomedical Applications

Paper-based microfluidics is any porous membrane that wicks fluids by capillary action. The most common porous membranes used are cellulose-based paper and nitrocellulose membranes. Cellulose-based paper is made of cellulose fibers with a high density of hydroxyl functional groups, and a few carboxylic acid groups are commonly used to develop microPADs. Nitrocellulose is produced by nitrating cellulose with controlled porosity. Nitrocellulose membranes have high protein-binding affinity and are used most famously in lateral-flow assays and western blots. In addition to cellulose-based paper and nitrocellulose, many other types of porous membranes with various physical and chemical characteristics could be used to develop paper-based microfluidic devices.

Paper microfluidics-based biosensors show advantages over conventional microfluidics by their simpler fabrication process, lower cost, easier disposal, and ability to operate without pumps or other supporting equipment. The most common application of paper-based microfluidic devices is in developing point-of-care (POC) diagnostic devices, which could eliminate the need for costly and time-consuming laboratory-based analytical procedures. This Research Topic will pave the way for the application of the paper microfluidics in the medical sector so that in the future the pandemic like the covid spread can be controlled by means of using this microfluidics for the early screening.

We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:

• Paper-based Biosensors

• Optical LED-based biosensors

• Plasmonic nanoparticle-based biosensors

• Biosensors for cell analysis

• Paper-based Electrochemical biosensor

• Graphene-based biosensors

• Carbon nanotube biosensors

• Aptamer biosensors

• DNA/RNA sensors

• Glucose biosensor

• Capacitive biosensors

• Biosensor for toxin detection in food

• Nucleic acid sensors for the biomolecule detection

• Protein-based biosensors

• Immunosensors for antibody detection

Keywords: Paper-based, Biosensors, Microfluidics, Point-of-care, Diagnostic devices

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.