Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for biosensing: synthesis strategies, material properties, and biomarker detection applications

This review further provides a technical overview of 2D TMD-based biosensors for the detection of biological targets employing optical, electrical, and electrochemical sensing mechanisms. In addition, current approaches, recent developments, key challenges, and future perspectives for healthcare device applications are discussed.</p> <p>Biosensors are small devices that can detect specific molecules in the body, such as proteins, DNA, or hormones, and are important for the early diagnosis of disease.

This review focuses on a class of ultra-thin materials called transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), which have unusual electrical and light-related properties that make them well suited for building highly sensitive biosensors. We explain how TMDs are manufactured, how their surfaces can be modified to attach biological recognition molecules, and how they perform when used in electrical, chemical, and light-based sensors to detect biomarkers such as cancer-related proteins, DNA fragments, and hormones.

Some TMD-based biosensors can detect these targets at extremely low concentrations, far below what many current clinical tests can achieve, which could enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis. We also discuss the practical challenges that must be overcome, including manufacturing these materials safely, consistently, and at large scale, before they can be used in real hospital or point-of-care settings. This review is intended to help researchers and clinicians understand the current state of TMD-based biosensors and the steps still needed to bring them from the laboratory into everyday healthcare use.</p>