In this talk, I will briefly discuss our recent progress in synthesis of functional materials based on protein cages, graphene, and nanoflowers for biosensing and bioimaging. I will discuss the development of various biosensors based on DNA assays and immunoassays for point-of care diagnostics and for cancer biomarker detection [1-3]. Nanomaterials loaded with optical or electroactive signal molecules were used for signal amplification tags for enhanced sensitivity for detection of disease biomarkers, environmental pollutants, and food pathogens. I will also discuss the recent work in 3D printing and smart-phone based biosensors for food safety applications [4-5].

References:
1. W. Wen, D. Du, Y. Lin. Recent Advance in Electrochemical Immunosensor. Analytical Chemistry 2017, 89, 138-156.
2. C. Zhu, G. Yang, H. Li, D. Du, Y. Lin. Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors Based on Nanomaterials and Nanostructures. Analytical Chemistry 2015, 87, 230-249.
3. R. Ye, C. Zhu, Y. Song, Q. Lu, X. Ge, X. Yang, M. Zhu, D. Du, H. Li, Y. Lin, Bioinspired Synthesis of All‐in‐One Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Nanoflowers Combined with a Handheld pH Meter for On‐Site Detection of Food Pathogen. Small 2016, 12, 3094-3100.
4. Y. Wang, M. Zeinhom, M. Yang, R. Sun, S. Wang, J. Smith, C. Timchalk, L. Li, Y. Lin, D. Du, A 3D-Printed, Portable, Optical-Sensing Platform for Smartphones Capable of Detecting the Herbicide 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid. Analytical Chemistry 2017, 89, 9339-9346.
5. N. Cheng, Y. Song, M. Zeinhom, Y. Chang, L. Sheng, H. Li, D. Du, L. Li, M. Zhu, Y. Luo, W. Xu, Y. Lin, Nanozyme mediated dual-immunoassay integrated with smartphone for use in simultaneous detection of pathogens. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2017, DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b12734