Mobile phone-based biosensing: An emerging “diagnostic and communication” technology

- Mobile phone-based biosensing is a key tool that will move the society towards smart cities: full connection everywhere.
- “Diagnostic and communication” technology permits the user performing quick assays either at home or in the field.
- Optical and electrochemical biosensors, among others, are integrated into mobile phones with good resolution and sensitivity.

In this review we discuss recent developments on the use of mobile phones and similar devices for biosensing applications in which diagnostics and communications are coupled. Owing to the capabilities of mobile phones (their cameras, connectivity, portability, etc.) and to advances in biosensing, the coupling of these two technologies is enabling portable and user-friendly analytical devices. Any user can now perform quick, robust and easy (bio)assays anywhere and at any time. Among the most widely reported of such devices are paper-based platforms. Herein we provide an overview of a broad range of biosensing possibilities, from optical to electrochemical measurements; explore the various reported designs for adapters; and consider future opportunities for this technology in fields such as health diagnostics, safety & security, and environment monitoring.

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