Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2025.118635
Qian Zhang , Jin Li , Yuanman Yue , Naimov Alisher
Nanocomposites functionalized fiber-optic biosensors achieve highly sensitive and selective detection of biological and chemical substances by integrating the unique optical, electrical, and magnetic properties of nanomaterials with the optical fiber structure. The working mechanisms have been systematically reviewed, focusing particularly on the functionalization strategies for the optical fiber surface and the underlying physical and chemical mechanisms in improving sensing performance. After the introduction of nanomaterials, the sensor can significantly enhance the interaction between light and matter through new effects such as surface plasmon resonance, local field enhancement and fluorescence energy transfer. In addition, by introducing specific recognition elements into the functional layer, the sensor can selectively capture target molecules. This paper also discusses the practical application of such sensors in the fields of biomarker detection, food safety analysis and environmental pollutant monitoring. Finally, the current technical challenges are summarized and the future development is prospected.
{"title":"Selective enrichment for sensitivity enhancement in nanocomposite functionalized fiber-optic biosensors","authors":"Qian Zhang , Jin Li , Yuanman Yue , Naimov Alisher","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nanocomposites functionalized fiber-optic biosensors achieve highly sensitive and selective detection of biological and chemical substances by integrating the unique optical, electrical, and magnetic properties of nanomaterials with the optical fiber structure. The working mechanisms have been systematically reviewed, focusing particularly on the functionalization strategies for the optical fiber surface and the underlying physical and chemical mechanisms in improving sensing performance. After the introduction of nanomaterials, the sensor can significantly enhance the interaction between light and matter through new effects such as surface plasmon resonance, local field enhancement and fluorescence energy transfer. In addition, by introducing specific recognition elements into the functional layer, the sensor can selectively capture target molecules. This paper also discusses the practical application of such sensors in the fields of biomarker detection, food safety analysis and environmental pollutant monitoring. Finally, the current technical challenges are summarized and the future development is prospected.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 118635"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2025.118628
Yuqing Liu , Zunzhong Ye , Rui Wang , Yuxiang Pan , Jianfeng Ping , Yibin Ying , Cui Wu
CRISPR/Cas-based biosensors have emerged as powerful tools for nucleic acid detection owing to high specificity and signal amplification. Paper-based analysis, valued for simplicity, low cost and portability, provide attractive substrates for translating CRISPR assays into POCT. This review summarizes advances in CRISPR-based paper sensors for nucleic acid detection, with emphasis on two aspects: (i) signal output strategies, including fluorescence, colorimetric, electrochemical, SERS, and dual-mode readouts that provide cross-verified results; and (ii) platform architectures, focusing on LFAs and microfluidic analytical devices, which are among the most practically promising formats for CRISPR-based paper diagnostics. We also highlight functional enhancement technologies, such as hydrogel integration to improve reagent stability and reaction robustness, and deep learning-assisted analysis to enable objective, user-independent interpretation and automation of readouts. Overall, advancing CRISPR-based paper sensors toward fully integrated workflows, amplification-free operation, multiple-target capability, and industrialization-ready development may improve practicality and robustness, supporting broader translation for POCT and field deployment.
{"title":"Recent progress in CRISPR-based paper sensors for nucleic acid detection","authors":"Yuqing Liu , Zunzhong Ye , Rui Wang , Yuxiang Pan , Jianfeng Ping , Yibin Ying , Cui Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>CRISPR/Cas-based biosensors have emerged as powerful tools for nucleic acid detection owing to high specificity and signal amplification. Paper-based analysis, valued for simplicity, low cost and portability, provide attractive substrates for translating CRISPR assays into POCT. This review summarizes advances in CRISPR-based paper sensors for nucleic acid detection, with emphasis on two aspects: (i) signal output strategies, including fluorescence, colorimetric, electrochemical, SERS, and dual-mode readouts that provide cross-verified results; and (ii) platform architectures, focusing on LFAs and microfluidic analytical devices, which are among the most practically promising formats for CRISPR-based paper diagnostics. We also highlight functional enhancement technologies, such as hydrogel integration to improve reagent stability and reaction robustness, and deep learning-assisted analysis to enable objective, user-independent interpretation and automation of readouts. Overall, advancing CRISPR-based paper sensors toward fully integrated workflows, amplification-free operation, multiple-target capability, and industrialization-ready development may improve practicality and robustness, supporting broader translation for POCT and field deployment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 118628"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2026.118648
Onur Karaman , Ali İhsan Kömür , Ceren Karaman
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are redefining the future of wearable and implantable electronics by enabling energy-autonomous, multifunctional sensing systems. By harvesting ambient mechanical energy and converting it into useful electrical signals, TENGs provide a sustainable solution for powering wearable and implantable devices while simultaneously functioning as active sensors. This review presents a comprehensive perspective on recent advances in TENG technology, with a particular focus on their application in biosensing, bioelectronic, and self-powered health monitoring platforms. We examine fundamental mechanisms of charge generation and transfer, sustainable and biocompatible materials, and surface/interface engineering strategies that enhance triboelectric performance. Special attention is given to hybrid and composite architectures that couple TENGs with piezoelectric, thermoelectric, and photovoltaic systems for continuous power generation and multimodal energy harvesting. Furthermore, the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in augmenting TENG performance, enabling real-time signal processing, intelligent power management, and adaptive biomedical monitoring, is highlighted. Clinical translation and commercialization pathways are also discussed, with an emphasis on biocompatibility, regulatory challenges, and device scalability. Positioned within the One Health framework, this review underscores how battery-free, sustainable, and multifunctional TENG-based biosensing systems can support precision health, environmental and public-health surveillance, and broader sustainable monitoring needs. By integrating energy harvesting, biosensing, and intelligent data processing, TENGs offer a path toward next-generation self-powered bioelectronic systems tailored for precision health, personalized medicine, and broader One Health applications.
{"title":"Triboelectric nanogenerators for self-powered biosensing: Towards intelligent platforms in the one-health framework","authors":"Onur Karaman , Ali İhsan Kömür , Ceren Karaman","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118648","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118648","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are redefining the future of wearable and implantable electronics by enabling energy-autonomous, multifunctional sensing systems. By harvesting ambient mechanical energy and converting it into useful electrical signals, TENGs provide a sustainable solution for powering wearable and implantable devices while simultaneously functioning as active sensors. This review presents a comprehensive perspective on recent advances in TENG technology, with a particular focus on their application in biosensing, bioelectronic, and self-powered health monitoring platforms. We examine fundamental mechanisms of charge generation and transfer, sustainable and biocompatible materials, and surface/interface engineering strategies that enhance triboelectric performance. Special attention is given to hybrid and composite architectures that couple TENGs with piezoelectric, thermoelectric, and photovoltaic systems for continuous power generation and multimodal energy harvesting. Furthermore, the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in augmenting TENG performance, enabling real-time signal processing, intelligent power management, and adaptive biomedical monitoring, is highlighted. Clinical translation and commercialization pathways are also discussed, with an emphasis on biocompatibility, regulatory challenges, and device scalability. Positioned within the One Health framework, this review underscores how battery-free, sustainable, and multifunctional TENG-based biosensing systems can support precision health, environmental and public-health surveillance, and broader sustainable monitoring needs. By integrating energy harvesting, biosensing, and intelligent data processing, TENGs offer a path toward next-generation self-powered bioelectronic systems tailored for precision health, personalized medicine, and broader One Health applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 118648"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2026.118665
Mussab Uddin , Ahmed S. El-tahlawy , Aya R. Mohammed , Waleed Alahmad
Antibiotics play a vital role in veterinary and human medicine for combating infectious diseases and maintaining animal health. In dairy farming, antimicrobials are widely used for therapeutic and preventive purposes, including dry-cow therapy and medicated milk replacers for calves. While these practices are essential for livestock welfare and economic sustainability, they may result in antibiotic residues in milk and derived products. Infants are particularly vulnerable to such residues due to rapid development, immature detoxification systems, and distinct exposure patterns. Consequently, the detection and control of antibiotic residues in infant milk formula (IMF) are of critical importance to public health. IMF is a fortified matrix rich in proteins and lipids, with added carbohydrates and minerals, which can induce stronger matrix effects and analyte–matrix interactions than regular milk. These characteristics require IMF-specific extraction and cleanup strategies, such as fat removal, protein precipitation, and chelation steps, to ensure accurate ultra-trace quantification. This review presents the first analysis of advanced analytical workflows developed over the past 10 years for the separation and quantification of antibiotic residues in IMF. Particular emphasis is placed on sample preparation approaches tailored to the complex IMF matrix and on chromatographic separation techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography, and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography. In addition, this review highlights the growing role of chemometrics and artificial intelligence-driven platforms in enhancing data interpretation and predicting contamination risks. By integrating analytical chemistry, food safety, and computational intelligence, this review provides a timely reference for researchers, regulators, and industry professionals worldwide.
{"title":"Ultra-trace detection of antibiotic residues in infant milk formula: Advanced analytical and AI-assisted approaches","authors":"Mussab Uddin , Ahmed S. El-tahlawy , Aya R. Mohammed , Waleed Alahmad","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118665","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118665","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antibiotics play a vital role in veterinary and human medicine for combating infectious diseases and maintaining animal health. In dairy farming, antimicrobials are widely used for therapeutic and preventive purposes, including dry-cow therapy and medicated milk replacers for calves. While these practices are essential for livestock welfare and economic sustainability, they may result in antibiotic residues in milk and derived products. Infants are particularly vulnerable to such residues due to rapid development, immature detoxification systems, and distinct exposure patterns. Consequently, the detection and control of antibiotic residues in infant milk formula (IMF) are of critical importance to public health. IMF is a fortified matrix rich in proteins and lipids, with added carbohydrates and minerals, which can induce stronger matrix effects and analyte–matrix interactions than regular milk. These characteristics require IMF-specific extraction and cleanup strategies, such as fat removal, protein precipitation, and chelation steps, to ensure accurate ultra-trace quantification. This review presents the first analysis of advanced analytical workflows developed over the past 10 years for the separation and quantification of antibiotic residues in IMF. Particular emphasis is placed on sample preparation approaches tailored to the complex IMF matrix and on chromatographic separation techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography, and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography. In addition, this review highlights the growing role of chemometrics and artificial intelligence-driven platforms in enhancing data interpretation and predicting contamination risks. By integrating analytical chemistry, food safety, and computational intelligence, this review provides a timely reference for researchers, regulators, and industry professionals worldwide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 118665"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2026.118660
Jiaxuan Gu , Xinyue Lan , Keren Chen , Jingjing Tian , Chengyun Wang , Xinru Gao , Yufan Ren , Wenbiao Shi , Longjiao Zhu , Wentao Xu
Triple-stranded DNA (tsDNA) is an advanced nucleic acid structure formed by the specific insertion of a triple-helix forming oligonucleotide (TFO) into the major groove of purine- and pyrimidine-rich double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), stabilized by Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds. Compared to dsDNA, tsDNA exhibits greater structural flexibility and controllability, rapid conformational changes in response to various stimuli. It offers distinct advantages, including ease of sequence design, structural adaptability, and compatibility with body microenvironments in vivo. This review provides a concise overview of tsDNA, emphasizing its structure and the factors that affect its stability. Moreover, the structural change mechanisms of tsDNA are explored through four key aspects: aptamers (Apt), base mismatches, functional DNAzymes, and amplification products. Finally, the biological applications of tsDNA are reviewed across five areas: biosensing, cell imaging, gene therapy, nanomaterials, and drug delivery. The challenges associated with tsDNA, along with potential directions for future research, are also discussed.
{"title":"Structural change mechanisms of triple-stranded DNA and its multidimensional applications in biology","authors":"Jiaxuan Gu , Xinyue Lan , Keren Chen , Jingjing Tian , Chengyun Wang , Xinru Gao , Yufan Ren , Wenbiao Shi , Longjiao Zhu , Wentao Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118660","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118660","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Triple-stranded DNA (tsDNA) is an advanced nucleic acid structure formed by the specific insertion of a triple-helix forming oligonucleotide (TFO) into the major groove of purine- and pyrimidine-rich double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), stabilized by Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds. Compared to dsDNA, tsDNA exhibits greater structural flexibility and controllability, rapid conformational changes in response to various stimuli. It offers distinct advantages, including ease of sequence design, structural adaptability, and compatibility with body microenvironments in vivo. This review provides a concise overview of tsDNA, emphasizing its structure and the factors that affect its stability. Moreover, the structural change mechanisms of tsDNA are explored through four key aspects: aptamers (Apt), base mismatches, functional DNAzymes, and amplification products. Finally, the biological applications of tsDNA are reviewed across five areas: biosensing, cell imaging, gene therapy, nanomaterials, and drug delivery. The challenges associated with tsDNA, along with potential directions for future research, are also discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 118660"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2025.118641
Jia Gao, Wei Wang
Single-cell metabolic heterogeneity is a fundamental aspect of bacterial physiology, influencing cellular growth, stress adaptation, and antibiotic response. However, this heterogeneity is often obscured by population-averaged measurements. Recent advances in real-time optical imaging now enable direct tracking of individual bacterial cells, providing temporal resolution of metabolic activity and revealing transient behaviors that are inaccessible using bulk approaches. This review surveys two major imaging strategies: fluorescence-based methods, which provide sensitive and specific readouts of metabolic dynamics, and label-free techniques, which capture intrinsic physical or chemical signatures associated with cellular activity. When integrated with microfluidic confinement and live-cell tracking, these approaches support high-throughput and long-term studies at single-cell resolution. Together, these imaging capabilities have enabled diverse applications, including rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), identification of transient electrochemical phenomena, and lineage-resolved analysis of heritable metabolic traits. By comparing the sensitivity, specificity, and physiological invasiveness of current methodologies, this review highlights how real-time single-bacterium imaging contributes to an improved understanding of microbial individuality and informs developments in antibiotic discovery, microbial engineering, and systems-level metabolic modeling.
{"title":"Recent advances in real-time imaging of single-bacterium metabolic dynamics","authors":"Jia Gao, Wei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118641","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2025.118641","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Single-cell metabolic heterogeneity is a fundamental aspect of bacterial physiology, influencing cellular growth, stress adaptation, and antibiotic response. However, this heterogeneity is often obscured by population-averaged measurements. Recent advances in real-time optical imaging now enable direct tracking of individual bacterial cells, providing temporal resolution of metabolic activity and revealing transient behaviors that are inaccessible using bulk approaches. This review surveys two major imaging strategies: fluorescence-based methods, which provide sensitive and specific readouts of metabolic dynamics, and label-free techniques, which capture intrinsic physical or chemical signatures associated with cellular activity. When integrated with microfluidic confinement and live-cell tracking, these approaches support high-throughput and long-term studies at single-cell resolution. Together, these imaging capabilities have enabled diverse applications, including rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), identification of transient electrochemical phenomena, and lineage-resolved analysis of heritable metabolic traits. By comparing the sensitivity, specificity, and physiological invasiveness of current methodologies, this review highlights how real-time single-bacterium imaging contributes to an improved understanding of microbial individuality and informs developments in antibiotic discovery, microbial engineering, and systems-level metabolic modeling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 118641"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2026.118690
Camille Richer, Fabrice Alliot, Thomas Thiebault
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an increasingly important approach for assessing community exposure to pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and biomarkers, yet its reliance on autosamplers limits spatial and temporal coverage due to high cost, maintenance, and infrastructure demands. Passive sampling (PS) offers a power-free, time-integrated alternative for monitoring polar organic contaminants in complex wastewater matrices. This review examines the performance of adsorption- and diffusion-based PS devices, emphasizing how calibration, biofouling, and sorbent-analyte interactions govern quantitative reliability. In situ calibration remains essential for robust uptake estimates, while ion-exchange and mixed-mode sorbents provide enhanced selectivity and broader analyte coverage. Beyond targeted screening, PS enables semi-quantitative, non-targeted analyses through high-resolution mass spectrometry, expanding its analytical scope. Rather than replacing autosamplers, PS should be viewed as a complementary technology capable of improving spatial and temporal resolution in WBE. Ongoing innovations in design, calibration, and data interpretation will shape its integration into future wastewater surveillance frameworks.
{"title":"Passive sampling of chemical targets in wastewater-based epidemiology: Promise, pitfalls and pathway forward","authors":"Camille Richer, Fabrice Alliot, Thomas Thiebault","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118690","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118690","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an increasingly important approach for assessing community exposure to pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and biomarkers, yet its reliance on autosamplers limits spatial and temporal coverage due to high cost, maintenance, and infrastructure demands. Passive sampling (PS) offers a power-free, time-integrated alternative for monitoring polar organic contaminants in complex wastewater matrices. This review examines the performance of adsorption- and diffusion-based PS devices, emphasizing how calibration, biofouling, and sorbent-analyte interactions govern quantitative reliability. In situ calibration remains essential for robust uptake estimates, while ion-exchange and mixed-mode sorbents provide enhanced selectivity and broader analyte coverage. Beyond targeted screening, PS enables semi-quantitative, non-targeted analyses through high-resolution mass spectrometry, expanding its analytical scope. Rather than replacing autosamplers, PS should be viewed as a complementary technology capable of improving spatial and temporal resolution in WBE. Ongoing innovations in design, calibration, and data interpretation will shape its integration into future wastewater surveillance frameworks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 118690"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2026.118680
Xiaofang Yang , Yuanyuan Liu , Zhankuo Zhang , Xiaodong Wen , Chengbin Zheng
Driven by the growing demand for environmentally-friendly analytical technologies, it is an urgent need to develop green and efficient sample digestion methods to overcome the shortcomings of conventional techniques. Ultraviolet irradiation-assisted digestion (UVD) represents a promising alternative for sample digestion with small amounts of reagents, thus minimizing the potential contamination from reagents and improving the analytical performance. This benefits to the ultratrace determinations and has attracted considerable attention in many analytical fields. The review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in UVD methods and devices as well as their applications. It systematically elucidates the mechanisms of UV-induced radical generation and organic matrix decomposition, summarizes key progress in UV emission sources, highlights innovations in UVD reactor design, and thoroughly examines applications in various fields, while also discussing future prospects of the technique. This review establishes a theoretical and practical foundation for the ongoing innovation and deeper application of UVD technique in analytical chemistry.
{"title":"Ultraviolet irradiation-assisted digestion and its devices towards green analytical chemistry","authors":"Xiaofang Yang , Yuanyuan Liu , Zhankuo Zhang , Xiaodong Wen , Chengbin Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118680","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118680","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Driven by the growing demand for environmentally-friendly analytical technologies, it is an urgent need to develop green and efficient sample digestion methods to overcome the shortcomings of conventional techniques. Ultraviolet irradiation-assisted digestion (UVD) represents a promising alternative for sample digestion with small amounts of reagents, thus minimizing the potential contamination from reagents and improving the analytical performance. This benefits to the ultratrace determinations and has attracted considerable attention in many analytical fields. The review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in UVD methods and devices as well as their applications. It systematically elucidates the mechanisms of UV-induced radical generation and organic matrix decomposition, summarizes key progress in UV emission sources, highlights innovations in UVD reactor design, and thoroughly examines applications in various fields, while also discussing future prospects of the technique. This review establishes a theoretical and practical foundation for the ongoing innovation and deeper application of UVD technique in analytical chemistry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 118680"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2026.118664
Xu Fan , Ziwen Zhang , Zhuoting Liu , YingYing Cao , Taojing Zhang , Baofang Feng , Fei Liu , Feng Qu , Shenghang Zhang , Weidong Zhao , Jian Sun , Tie Wang
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful technique with high sensitivity, fast response, and non-destructive detection, but it faces interference from other substances in practical applications. Aptamers, as excellent affinity agents, have the capability to bind with various targets to form stable structures. The integration of aptamers into SERS sensors can significantly enhance the acquisition and selection of target objects, thereby enabling the detection of various functional molecules. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of SERS enhancement and the construction of SERS substrates. We summarize the design strategies for aptamer-based SERS technology and provide an overview of its applications in environmental pollutant detection, food safety and quality monitoring, and biomedical diagnostics. Finally, we discuss the current advantages and limitations of aptamer-based SERS sensors, as well as the vast potential for future development. This review will provide a guiding route for the development and application of novel aptamer-based sensors.
{"title":"Aptamer-engineered SERS sensors: Molecular recognition meets plasmonic enhancement for precision detection","authors":"Xu Fan , Ziwen Zhang , Zhuoting Liu , YingYing Cao , Taojing Zhang , Baofang Feng , Fei Liu , Feng Qu , Shenghang Zhang , Weidong Zhao , Jian Sun , Tie Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118664","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118664","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful technique with high sensitivity, fast response, and non-destructive detection, but it faces interference from other substances in practical applications. Aptamers, as excellent affinity agents, have the capability to bind with various targets to form stable structures. The integration of aptamers into SERS sensors can significantly enhance the acquisition and selection of target objects, thereby enabling the detection of various functional molecules. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of SERS enhancement and the construction of SERS substrates. We summarize the design strategies for aptamer-based SERS technology and provide an overview of its applications in environmental pollutant detection, food safety and quality monitoring, and biomedical diagnostics. Finally, we discuss the current advantages and limitations of aptamer-based SERS sensors, as well as the vast potential for future development. This review will provide a guiding route for the development and application of novel aptamer-based sensors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 118664"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2026.118678
Xiaoyu Wang , Jingwen Zou , Yixuan Tao , Zhiwen Zhou , Changyu Bian , Zhiqiang Mao , Zhihong Liu
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), as a novel therapeutic approach, leverage the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) to selectively degrade target proteins, enabling the targeting of previously "undruggable" proteins and significantly expanding the potential for drug development. PROTACs can cyclically degrade multiple proteins and exert excellent therapeutic effects with only catalytic amounts. Additionally, PROTACs can potentially overcome acquired drug resistance through degrading entire proteins. Nevertheless, the high molecular weight of PROTACs often results in suboptimal permeability and solubility, as well as unfavorable pharmacokinetics. Additionally, due to the lack of tissue-specific targeting, PROTACs may cause serious therapeutic side effects. Furthermore, the development of synergistic treatment models has become one of the solutions to challenges posed by the heterogeneity and complexity of tumors. In this context, stimulus-responsive PROTAC prodrugs have been developed for precise protein targeting and degradation, and PROTAC prodrugs combine with other therapeutic approaches have been thriving in tumor therapy to address issues such as poor targeting and pharmacokinetics. This review focuses on the last 3 years’ advances in PROTAC combination therapy for tumor treatment, aiming to provide valuable insights for the progress in more efficient PROTAC-based synergistic treatment strategies.
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