Advancing acoustic biosensing: functionalization strategies and applications in diagnostics, agrifood, and nanomedicine

Acoustic biosensors are increasingly gaining attention across a wide range of applications, from biomedical diagnostics to green technologies and the agrifood sector. Their versatility and sensitivity make them invaluable tools for detecting biomolecules, pollutants, and food-related analytes. However, the chemical functionalization of sensor surfaces remains a critical challenge for enhancing detection performance, selectivity, and stability.
This talk will illustrate some practical examples of how to achieve accurate detection of peptides, proteins, and enological molecules of interest, exploring also applications where the surface properties of nanoparticles are tested. Finally, we will illustrate the integration of acoustic sensors with molecularly imprinted nanoparticles, used as bioreceptors for the analysis of proteins, nucleic acids, and enological polyphenols.
By addressing these diverse yet interconnected applications, we demonstrate the critical role of surface chemistry in advancing acoustic biosensing technologies. These advancements promise to pave the way for more effective diagnostic tools, sustainable practices in the agrifood industry, and innovative solutions in nanomedicine.

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