Researchers have highlighted a major advancement in virus detection and analysis with nanoplasmonic biosensors, showcasing their expanding role beyond diagnostics to include drug screening and immune profiling.
Study: Nanoplasmonic biosensors for detecting viruses and combating viral infections. Image Credit: Marcin Janiec/Shutterstock.com
A recent review published in npj Biosensing explores how these biosensors, initially designed for rapid and highly sensitive virus detection, are now proving invaluable in broader areas of virology research. Their capabilities came to light during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the authors emphasize that their utility continues to grow, from evaluating antiviral drugs to mapping immune responses.
Background
Nanoplasmonic biosensors operate based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), which involves exciting conduction electrons on metallic nanostructures like gold or silver. This interaction produces optical signals that are highly responsive to nanoscale environmental changes. When a virus or viral molecule binds to the sensor surface, it shifts the resonance wavelength, enabling detection without the need for labels.
A key strength of this approach lies in its exceptional sensitivity. By designing nanostructures that intensify local electromagnetic fields, researchers have achieved rapid, low-limit detection. Early efforts focused mainly on identifying viral particles using antibody-based probes attached to nanostructured surfaces.
Key Studies Reviewed
The review highlights several impactful studies that illustrate the versatility of nanoplasmonic biosensors in virology. One notable example features engineered gold nanostructures functionalized with viral antigens to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. These systems enabled ultra-sensitive detection of virus-specific IgG in blood samples, supporting accurate assessments of immune responses after infection or vaccination.
In another study, nanostructures equipped with immobilized viral proteins successfully detected entire virus particles in biological fluids, matching or surpassing conventional methods in speed and sensitivity.
Beyond direct detection, researchers have applied these biosensors to monitor real-time interactions between antiviral agents and viruses. This has helped uncover binding mechanisms and identify promising therapeutic candidates. Immune profiling has also emerged as a key application, where sensors coated with viral antigens can detect circulating antibodies, offering insight into population-level immunity and vaccine efficacy.
These studies commonly optimized sensor design to enhance electromagnetic fields and used highly selective biological probes. Some incorporated signal amplification strategies, like secondary nanoparticle binding, to push sensitivity to near single-molecule levels.
Discussion
The review underscores the potential of nanoplasmonic biosensors to significantly advance virus diagnostics and research. Their ability to perform fast, label-free detection in complex biological samples gives them an edge over conventional methods such as PCR or ELISA, especially in time-sensitive or resource-limited settings.
Effective sensor performance hinges on careful design—enhancing nanostructure geometry boosts sensitivity, while stable, specific biological probes improve accuracy. The authors also stress the need for user-friendly, portable formats to support point-of-care use.
Still, challenges remain. Standardizing sensor production, validating across varied clinical samples, and ensuring reproducibility are crucial for clinical adoption. Many promising prototypes still face hurdles like robustness, cost, and regulatory compliance before reaching the market.
Another key goal is expanding sensor capabilities to detect multiple viruses simultaneously—so-called multiplexed platforms. The review also suggests integrating machine learning for improved data interpretation, which could further enhance diagnostic accuracy in practical settings.
Conclusion
The authors advocate for a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, uniting material science, biology, and engineering, to refine and expand the use of nanoplasmonic biosensors. Developing platforms that can simultaneously detect multiple pathogens or immune markers will be essential for future applications in personalized medicine and public health.
They remain optimistic that continued innovation will establish these biosensors as essential tools in the global response to viral diseases, enabling faster, more accurate, and versatile diagnostics across a wide range of clinical and research settings.
Journal Reference
Park, H., Jackman, J.A (2025). Nanoplasmonic biosensors for detecting viruses and combating viral infections. npj Biosensing 2, 22. DOI: 10.1038/s44328-025-00043-0, https://www.nature.com/articles/s44328-025-00043-0