Silicon nanowire biosensor and its applications in disease diagnostics: A review

Over the past decade, silicon nanowire (SiNW) biosensors have been studied for the detection of biological molecules as highly sensitive, label-free, and electrical tools. Herein we present a comprehensive review about the fabrication of SiNW biosensors and their applications in disease diagnostics. We discuss the detection of important biomarkers related to diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and infectious diseases. SiNW biosensors hold great promise to realize point-of-care (POC) devices for disease diagnostics with potential for miniaturization and integration.

A typical SiNW FET-based biosensor for detecting biomolecules.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► SiNW biosensor has been developed as a sensitive, label-free, electrical tool.
► SiNW biosensor has been applied to the detection of important biomarkers.
► SiNW biosensor shows a potential of miniaturization and integration.
► SiNW biosensor indicates a promising POC device for disease diagnostics.
► The diseases can include cancer, cardiovascular disease, and infectious disease.