Carbohydrate-based biosensors for enhanced pathogen detection

Carbohydrate-based biosensors represent a cutting-edge class of bioinspired diagnostic platforms that exploit the inherent specificity of glycan-protein interactions for pathogen detection. Carbohydrate-functionalized biosensing systems offer remarkable advantages in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and biocompatibility, positioning them as compelling alternatives to conventional antibody- or nucleic acid-based assays. By mimicking natural recognition mechanisms, these interfaces enable rapid, scalable, and robust capture of microbial targets, even in complex biological matrices, thereby paving the way for detection platforms suitable for clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety applications. Recent advancements in glycan chemistry, nanotechnology, and surface functionalization, particularly the precise control of ligand density, orientation, and spatial arrangement, have significantly enhanced the performance of these biosensors. This review highlights the design principles, detection strategies, and emerging applications of carbohydrate-based biosensors targeting a broad spectrum of studied pathogens. It underscores their transformative potential in advancing point-of-care diagnostics and enhancing infectious disease surveillance.