Advances in light-addressable potentiometric sensors for biomarkers and biosensing applications

Light-addressable potentiometric sensors (LAPSs) are a growing type of potentiometric biosensors with strong potential for detecting ions, biomolecules, and important biomarkers for clinical use. Their light-addressability, spatial resolution, and ability to work with various recognition elements, especially aptamers, enable highly sensitive detection of biological changes that are important for early disease diagnosis. Improvements in high-k dielectrics, ultrathin insulating layers, nanostructured interfaces, and surface functionalization have further boosted LAPS performance. This review explains the basics of how LAPS works and highlights recent progress in fabrication technologies, aptamer integration, biological sensing applications, and biomarker detection. Although issues such as membrane fragility, high fabrication costs, and limited portability persist, new solutions, such as durable insulators, array-based designs, and microfluidic integration, are expected to improve sensitivity and help develop portable diagnostic systems. Overall, these advancements make LAPS a promising platform for reliable biomarker and biosensing detection.