Review: Novel sensing strategies for bacterial detection based on active and passive methods driven by external field

•Recent progress in active and passive detection methods of bacteria by external fields is reviewed.•Trends in passive optical and electrical detection methods of bacteria are covered.•Photothermal assembling for rapid bacterial detection is discussed as an active optical method.•Dielectrophoretic selective detection of bacteria with molecular imprinting is described as an active electrical method.

For sustainable human life, biosensing systems for contaminants or disease-causing bacteria are crucial for food security, environmental improvement, and disease prevention. With an aim of enhancing the sensitivity and detection speed, many researchers have developed efficient detection methods for target bacteria. In this review, we discuss recent topics related to active and passive bacterial detection methods, including (1) optical approaches with unique functional nano- and micro-structures, and (2) electrical approaches involving mechanical modulation and electrochemical reactions. Particularly, we discuss the prospects in the development of label-free, rapid, and highly sensitive biosensors based on active detection principles with light-induced dynamics, in conjunction with dielectrophoresis-induced selective trapping.

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