Additional information
by Stephen Holler (Guest Editor)
The implementation of label-free sensing of biological and chemical agents allows
one to investigate the underlying physical and chemical characteristics and
interactions of target analytes while reducing both sample complexity and
preparation time. Sensor platforms incorporating label-free detection schemes
avoid the potentially confounding effects of molecular labels by monitoring the
target species directly, relying solely on the intrinsic physicochemical properties of
the target analyte. Because of the relatively minimal sample preparation, such
approaches are well suited for field applications and remote diagnostics where
either sample preparation facilities and/or trained personnel may be limited or
unavailable. This special issue highlights some diverse approaches to the
challenge of detecting target analytes without the need for labels. These
approaches principally focus on optical and electrochemical techniques, and offer
the promise of a rapid diagnostics tool that could be used in a clinical setting that
would minimize the time between identification and treatment. [...]
