Sensors & Diagnostics Blog

We are pleased to welcome Professor Michael Serpe as the new Associate Editor for Sensors & Diagnostics. Michael Serpe is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Alberta with a focus on developing innovative, stimuli-responsive polymer technologies. His work has contributed to the fields of environmental science and healthcare, particularly in the development of polymer-based sensors and biosensors.

Professor Serpe’s academic journey began with a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Central Florida, followed by a Ph.D. from Georgia Tech. After postdoctoral research in both industry and academia, he joined the University of Alberta in 2009, achieving the rank of Full Professor in 2018. Alongside his role as Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Science, Professor Serpe leads a research group widely known for its work on stimuli-responsive polymers.

One of the group’s standout innovations is the creation of “etalons,” stimuli-responsive polymer-based sensors with wide-ranging applications. Initially focused on building a fundamental understanding of etalons, Professor Serpe’s team now uses them to develop point-of-care diagnostic devices. Their recent work includes the development of a portable sensor for detecting orthophosphate (PO43–) and adapting glucose test strips for COVID-19 antibody detection. These technologies have potential applications in both environmental monitoring and healthcare diagnostics.

We are excited to have Professor Mike Serpe on board, and we look forward to his contributions to Sensors & Diagnostics. His expertise in stimuli-responsive polymers-based biosensors will bring a fresh perspective to the journal’s mission of highlighting cutting-edge research in the field.

Head over to LinkedIn and join us in welcoming Professor Serpe to the Sensors & Diagnosis Editorial Board!

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We have recently received the very sad and unexpected news that our Advisory Board member Professor Lauro Kubota, a distinguished scientist and pioneer in the field of electrochemical sensing has passed. Lauro most recently served as an Advisory Board member for Sensors & Diagnostics and previously for Analytical Methods.

Professor Lauro Kubota, Photograph: University of Campinas, Brazil

Lauro received his PhD in Chemistry from the State University of Campinas in 1993 and joined the Institute of Chemistry at Unicamp as an Assistant Professor of Analytical Chemistry in 1994, becoming a Full Professor in 2009. During this time, he participated in multiple scientific endeavors including acting as the Coordinator of the Central Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry at Unicamp and the Research Coordinator of the Institute of Chemistry. He had also been the Coordinator of the National Institute of Science and Technology of Bioanalytics (INCTBio) since 2008 and was named as the Director of the Institute of Chemistry at Unicamp in 2014 and held this position for 4 years.

Lauro was a brilliant leader in the field of electrochemical sensing, receiving numerous accolades as a result of his contributions towards the development of sensors and biosensors. He pioneered innovative electrode modification techniques for the advancement of biosensor technologies for clinical, environmental and food-related applications.  Additionally, he published outstanding work centered on utilising novel electrochemical methods for point-of-care diagnostics and bioassays.

As a result of his scientific and academic excellence Lauro received several awards and honours, including being awarded the Inventor of the Year in 2000 by the government of the state of São Paulo and the Zeferino Vaz Award for Academic Recognition which he was awarded in 2004 and 2023. Lauro was also awarded the Rheinboldt-Hauptmann Award in 2023.

Besides being a fantastic scientist, Lauro acted as a supervisor to the next generation of scientists, supervising numerous students at various stages of their academic career. He was a very well respected and liked teacher, colleague and supervisor who will be dearly missed.

Sensors & Diagnostics and Analytical Methods truly appreciated Lauro’s efforts with each journal and his passing is a tremendous loss for the scientific community. Our thoughts are with his family, colleagues and friends.

We are delighted to announce that Professor Guozhen Liu has been appointed as Editorial Board member for Sensors & Diagnostics. Prof Liu is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the School of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Shenzhen (CUHK(SZ) where she holds the role of the Director of CUHK(SZ)-BoyaLife Joint Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine Engineering.

Prof Liu leads the Integrated Devices and Intelligent Diagnosis (ID2) team, dedicated to research in diagnosing and managing chronic diseases like diabetes, Parkinson’s, and osteoarthritis. Her work blends academic insight with practical industry applications, aiming to improve healthcare outcomes and quality of life.

Her contributions earned her the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship in 2016 and the prestigious 2020 Georgina Sweet Award for Women in Quantitative Biomedical Science. These awards are the result of her research in neuroinflammation and cancer immunotherapy.

With over 170 peer-reviewed publications and numerous internationally registered patents, Prof Liu is a prolific contributor to biomedical science.

Professor Gouzhen Liu has extensive experience in medical device development, collaborating with companies like AstraZeneca, BioLegend, AgaMatrix, and Nutromics. As the former R&D Manager for AgaMatrix Inc. in China, she was involved in creating products to manage diabetes.

Prof Liu co-founded Bio-Sens Tech Pty Ltd in Sydney, focusing on non-invasive early diabetes diagnosis. Her startup reflects her dedication to turning scientific discoveries into practical healthcare solutions.

Head over to LinkedIn and join us in welcoming Professor Guozhen Liu to the Sensors & Diagnosis Editorial Board!

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We are thrilled to announce the launch of our prestigious Outstanding Early Career Research Award, aimed at recognising, and celebrating outstanding contributions in the realm of Sensors & Diagnostics. This initiative seeks to honour the dedication, innovation, and impactful research endeavours of promising early career researchers.

In a world where metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes are on the rise, the need for convenient tools to measure body fat burn rates and guide lifestyle changes is paramount. In their work Handheld device quantifies breath acetone for real-life metabolic health monitoring, Dr Ines Weber and her team address this need head-on and have developed a ground-breaking handheld device. By analysing acetone content in breath, this device provides accurate measurements of fat burn rates, offering personalized insights into metabolic health. Its compact size, simplicity of use, long-term reliability, and remarkable accuracy set it apart. With specialized filtering units that selectively allow only acetone to pass through, the device accurately tracks the impact of stimuli such as diet and exercise, making it a promising tool for personalized health monitoring.

Meet the team

• Dr Grégoire Bastide: With a background in mechanical engineering from ETH Zurich and Stanford University, Grégoire Bastide’s research focuses on breath analysis and medical technology, particularly devices for disease diagnostics.
• Dr Anna Laura Remund: Currently completing her master’s degree in mechanical engineering at ETH Zurich, Anna’s research interests lie in developing medical devices for disease diagnostics, with experience gained from research stints at Stanford University.
• Dr Dina N. Oosthuizen: A research associate at Northeastern University, Dr. Oosthuizen specializes in designing sensor platforms for extreme environments, including space. Her expertise in chemical gas sensors and nanomaterial functionalization contributes to real-world solutions.
• Dr Nina Derron: With a background in Health Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, and a recent PhD in Clinical Science, Dr. Derron’s research focuses on nutritional interventions, particularly intermittent fasting, and applying novel mobile technologies to enhance disease understanding and treatment.
• Prof Gerber: A senior physician and group leader at the University Hospital Zurich, Prof. Gerber’s research interests encompass clinical studies in nutrition, focusing on the impact of nutrition on metabolic diseases. His work has been recognized with numerous grants and awards.
• Dr Ines Weber: Dr Weber’s research centres on nanoscale engineering of sensors for healthcare applications, emphasizing personalized medicine. With experience from ETH Zurich and Stanford University, her work has garnered recognition through awards like the ETH medal and GAeF PhD award.

About being awarded by the Editorial Board of Sensors & Diagnostics the winners commented: “We are honoured to receive the Outstanding Early Career Research Award from Sensors & Diagnostics! This recognition validates the significance of our research and the development of personalized health monitors. We are grateful to Sensors & Diagnostics for selecting our publication and excited to continue pushing boundaries in sensor technologies.”

Join us in LinkedIn to celebrate Dr weber et al in their achievement!

Sensors & Diagnostics is an international gold open-access journal. All cost are waived until mid-2024. Sign up now to get updates on all articles as they are published on Twitter and in our e-alerts.

Sensors & Diagnostics is delighted to welcome papers for its latest themed collection on ‘Paper-Based Point-Of-Care Diagnostics, guest edited by Thiago Paixão (Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil), Daniel Citterio (Keio University, Japan) and William Reis de Araujo (Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil).

This themed collection welcomes original research articles, reviews, communications, and perspectives that contribute to the body of knowledge on paper-based point-of-care diagnostic platforms, intending to foster innovation and improve healthcare outcomes worldwide. It highlights innovative designs, materials and technologies that enhance the functionality, sensitivity and specificity of these platforms. Additionally, it will cover integration of paper-based systems with digital health technologies for data analysis and remote health monitoring, contributing to the advancement of telemedicine and decentralized healthcare.

The deadline for submissions is 15 November 2024. Submit your work to this collection now!

Promotion of the collection is scheduled for late-2025, with articles published online as soon as they’re accepted.

Articles can be submitted via our website: www.rsc.li/sensors.  When submitting your manuscript, please mention that it is intended for this themed collection in the ‘notes to the editor’ box. The Editorial Office reserves the right to check suitability of submissions for both the journal and the scope of the collection, and inclusion of accepted articles in the final themed collection is not guaranteed.

Article processing charges will be automatically waived for all articles submitted to this themed collection until the end of 2024. Articles submitted to this collection after 2024 will not be automatically offered a waiver but authors can apply for a waiver separately. All waiver applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Explore all open calls for papers from RSC journals!

About Sensors & Diagnostics

Sensors & Diagnostics publishes focused on high-impact, innovative sensing work.

The journal welcomes high-quality studies reporting innovative materials, novel detection principles, and/or significant development of known devices. All work must be of significant interest to the community, and, where relevant, must show in situ or real-life sample testing.

Sensors & Diagnostics welcomes contributions from across the breadth of related fields, including biomedical research, drug discovery, environment, food, medicine, and security and defence. Find out more.

As a gold open access journal, there are no barriers to accessing content and your research article will reach an international audience. Please note that the article processing charges are waived until mid-2024, so the journal is currently completely free to publish in.

Dr Ali Yetisen, an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London, is a prominent figure in the field of chemical engineering and biochemical sensors. Dr Yetisen has established himself as a leader in academia with a strong focus on people-centric research and equal opportunities.

His academic journey began with a Tosteson Fellowship at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he gained expertise in biochemical sensors. Now, as the director of the Centre for Biochemical Sensors at Imperial College London, Dr Yetisen leads a diverse team of researchers in pioneering advancements with real-world applications.

In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Dr Yetisen is a passionate advocate for inclusive research practices. As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, he actively promotes networking opportunities and support mechanisms for researchers from underrepresented backgrounds.

Dr Yetisen’s impact extends beyond academia, with over 200 peer-reviewed articles and 80 international talks to his credit. He has also served as a content expert on implant safety for regulatory bodies such as the FDA.

In summary, Dr. Ali Yetisen’s journey exemplifies resilience, intellect, and a commitment to excellence. Through his ground-breaking research and advocacy efforts, he continues to shape the future of biochemical sensing and inspire positive change within the scientific community.

Join us in welcoming Dr Ali Yetisen to the Sensors & Diagnostics Editorial Board! We are thrilled and honoured to have his expertise onboard.

Sensors & Diagnostics is an international gold open-access journal. All cost are waived until mid-2024. Sign up now to get updates on all articles as they are published on Twitter and in our e-alerts.

In the fast-paced world of scientific research, it’s not often that we get to pause and celebrate outstanding contributions. But today, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on some remarkable work and the brilliant minds behind it. We’re pleased to announce the first-ever Sensors & Diagnostics Outstanding Paper 2022 Award!

This award was established to recognize exceptional research published in Sensors & Diagnostics.  The winning paper was selected by our esteemed Editorial Board, who considered not only the scientific quality of the research but also its potential future impact.

Highly Sensitive Urine Glucose Detection with Graphene Field-Effect Transistors Functionalized with Electropolymerized Nanofilms

Authors: Gonzalo E. Fenoy, Waldemar A. Marmisollé, Wolfgang Knoll, and Omar Azzaroni

Sens. Diagn., 2022,1, 139-148

DOI 10.1039/D1SD00007A

Published in Sensors & Diagnostics in 2021, the work presented in this paper not only pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery but also holds immense promise for the future of biosensing technology.

When asked about their achievement, the winning team shared their thoughts, saying, “It is a great honour to receive this award from Sensors & Diagnostics, as this is a journal distinguished for publishing innovative works in the field of sensing devices and systems.” Their dedication to advancing the field of sensing technology is evident in their remarkable contributions.

Meet the Winning Team

Now, let’s take a moment to get to know the talented individuals who brought this outstanding research to life:

• Gonzalo E. Fenoy: Dr. Gonzalo E. Fenoy earned his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry in 2021 from the University of San Martín, Argentina. Currently serving as a Post-Doctoral research fellow at the Soft Matter Laboratory at the Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA, UNLP-CONICET), his research focuses on the development of organic electronic platforms for applications in energy and biosensing.
• Waldemar A. Marmisollé: Dr. Waldemar A. Marmisollé, born in Junín, Argentina, in 1984, pursued his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at the University of La Plata (UNLP). He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the same university in 2011 and has since held the position of a researcher at CONICET at INIFTA (La Plata), while also serving as a Chemistry professor at UNLP. His research revolves around the physical chemistry of electroactive materials.
• Wolfgang Knoll: Dr. Wolfgang Knoll, a seasoned scientist with a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of Konstanz, has a remarkable career spanning several countries. He has contributed significantly to the field of nanomaterials and served in various prestigious research positions. Currently, he is a Regular Member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and continues to make impactful contributions to science.
• Omar Azzaroni: Dr. Omar Azzaroni’s journey in chemistry took him from the Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) in Argentina to postdoctoral studies at renowned institutions worldwide. His research interests encompass the design and construction of soft materials and devices with optimized properties and functions. He is a fellow of CONICET and a Professor of Physical Chemistry at UNLP.

Join Us in Congratulations

We invite you to join us in congratulating Gonzalo E. Fenoy, Waldemar A. Marmisollé, Wolfgang Knoll, and Omar Azzaroni on their well-deserved Sensors & Diagnostics Outstanding Paper 2022 Award. Their dedication to advancing the field of sensing devices and systems is an inspiration to all of us in the scientific community. We look forward to their future contributions and the impact they will undoubtedly have on the world of sensing technology.

In recognition of their outstanding achievement, the winning team will be presenting their research in a webinar series scheduled for November (date to be defined). This is a unique opportunity to gain insight into their ground-breaking work and its potential implications for the future of biosensing technology.

Sensors & Diagnostics is an international gold open-access journal. All cost are waived until mid-2024. Sign up now to get updates on all articles as they are published on Twitter and in our e-alerts.

We’re thrilled to announce the latest additions to the Advisory Board of Sensors & Diagnostics.

These remarkable individuals bring a wealth of experience, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to advancing knowledge in their respective areas of expertise: Professor Vipul Bansal, Dr Deah Ho Prof, Dr Jwa-Min Nam, and  Professor Lauro Tatsuo Kubota.

Professor Lauro Tatsuo Kubota is a true luminary in the field of chemistry. As a Full Professor at the Institute of Chemistry at Unicamp, Prof Kubota’s accomplishments extend far and wide. Having served as the Director of the Institute of Chemistry at Unicamp from 2014 to 2018, his leadership has left an indelible mark. His role as the Coordinator of the National Institute on Science and Technology of Bioanalytics (INCTBio) since 2008 highlights his commitment to advancing scientific exploration.

Prof Kubota’s contributions have garnered well-deserved recognition, including membership in the São Paulo State Academy of Science, the Brazilian Academy of Science, and a Fellowship with the Royal Society of Chemistry. His innovative spirit shines through his extensive research, which revolves around pioneering new sensors, novel materials, and revolutionary point-of-care devices, particularly in the realm of electrochemical transducers. With a remarkable track record of publications, patents, and awards, Prof Kubota brings a wealth of experience to the Advisory Board.

Dr Jwa-Min Nam, whose expertise in chemistry has made waves in the world of nanotechnology. As a full professor at Seoul National University, his journey from Northwestern University to various prestigious institutions showcases his dedication to pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge. Dr. Nam’s extensive list of publications in high-impact journals speaks volumes about his commitment to cutting-edge research.

His remarkable work in metal nanoparticle synthesis, nanoplasmonics, biosensing, and more has not only been recognized with numerous awards but has also resulted in several patents for commercialization. His role as an Associate Editor and his presence on various editorial advisory boards underscore his influence in the scientific community.

Dr Nam’s trailblazing work in the intersection of chemistry and nanotechnology adds a new dimension to the Advisory Board.

Dr Dean Ho brings a unique perspective to the Advisory Board as a leader in digital medicine. As the Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the National University of Singapore, his remarkable achievements include the development of over 10 technology platforms in human clinical trials, revolutionizing patient care. His contributions have led to life-saving outcomes, positioning him as a driving force in the field.

Dr Ho’s recognition by esteemed institutions like the National Academy of Inventors, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering is a testament to his exceptional contributions. His forthcoming book, “Medicine Without Meds,” promises to be a game-changer in accelerating innovation to benefit patients and caregivers. Dr Ho’s expertise in digital medicine and his global influence in major forums make him an invaluable addition to the Advisory Board.

Professor Vipul Bansal, Director of the Sir Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility at RMIT University Australia, brings a wealth of experience and passion to our Advisory Board. His commitment to mentoring the next generation of research leaders and translating nanotechnologies from bench to bedside is truly inspiring.

With over 200 highly cited publications and a track record of mentoring successful PhD candidates, Prof Bansal’s journey from India to Australia showcases his dedication to nanobiotechnology and materials chemistry. His establishment of the Sir Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility exemplifies his focus on clinical and commercial translation. His team’s work on sensors, diagnostics, biomedical imaging, and cellular immunotherapies holds the promise of transforming healthcare. Prof Bansal’s presence on our Advisory Board will undoubtedly drive new advancements in the field.

Dr Jeff W.M. Bulte is a Professor of Radiology, Oncology, Biomedical Engineering, and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is the inaugural Radiology Director of Scientific Communications and serves as Director of Cellular Imaging in the Johns Hopkins Institute for Cell Engineering. He is a Fellow and Gold Medal awardee of the ISMRM, a Fellow of WMIS, AIMBE, and IAMBE, and a Distinguished Investigator of the Academy of Radiology Research. He has published over 350 papers and book chapters, which have been cited over 35,000 times. His research interest is the development of new contrast agents and theranostics as applied to molecular and cellular imaging, with particular emphasis on in vivo cell tracking and regenerative medicine.

As Sensors & Diagnostics continues to be a beacon of cutting-edge research, the addition of these distinguished experts to our Advisory Board amplifies our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the advancement of scientific knowledge. We eagerly anticipate the fresh perspectives, insights, and directions that Prof Kubota, Dr Nam, Dr Ho, and Prof Bansal will bring to our journal’s mission.

Join us to welcome our new Advisory Board members on Twitter!

Sensors and Diagnostics, a new open access journal where we highlight emerging research on physical, chemical and bio sensors, as well as sensor devices and systems.

Sensors and Diagnostics  is open for submissions. Find out more on the journal webpage, sign up for email alerts