ScienceAsia 52 (2026):ID 2026070 1-13 |doi:
10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874..070
Aptamer-based biosensor: a promising platform for the
detection of pathogenic microbes
Isa Haruna Mohammeda,d, Hong Ngee Limb, Fariza Hanim Suhailinc, Hui Yee Cheea,*
ABSTRACT: Aptamers are short single-stranded artificial DNA or RNA nucleotide sequences. They can be developed by
systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) in vitro or generated in-silico using computational
approaches such as molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. These aptamers recognise and
bind numerous specific targets with high sensitivity including pathogenic microbes and their biomarkers. Due to their
unique properties, they serve as excellent recognition elements in biosensors and enable the detection of a variety
of molecules. In this review, the principles of aptamer-based biosensing along with various available aptamer sensor
platforms and their applications in the detection of pathogenic microbes were discussed using specific examples. It
also explores the integration of aptamers with various transduction techniques such as electrochemical, electrical,
surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) methods among others. In addition,
recent advances and developments of aptamer-based biosensors were highlighted, such as multiplex detection, CRISPR
associated (CRISPR/Cas) system, as well as development of point-of-care testing (POCT) devices. Furthermore, the
strengths and limitations of this detection method and its feature prospects as a diagnostic method for infectious disease
pathogens of public health significance are described.
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| a |
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia,
Selangor 43400 Malaysia |
| b |
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor 43400 Malaysia |
| c |
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor 81310 Malaysia |
| d |
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University,
Keffi 961101 Nigeria |
* Corresponding author, E-mail: cheehy@upm.edu.my
Received 31 Oct 2025, Accepted 25 May 2026
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