Luminescent Nanozyme-Based Sensors for Bacteria Detection

Bacterial infections still remain one of the main problems for healthcare, due to difficulties in timely diagnosis and increasing microbial resistance. Based on advanced nanotechnologies, in particular, nanozymes, as artificial enzymes with a wide spectrum of action, it is possible to create completely new tools for detecting infectious agents. Recent advances in the development of luminescent nanozymes capable of identifying pathogenic bacteria are discussed. The basic information about nanozymes with luminescent properties and their advantages over other variants of nanozymes are considered, and the key mechanisms for generating a luminescent signal that make it possible to detect bacterial cells are revealed. The main focus of the review is on the comprehensive characterization of luminescent sensor systems developed to date, which are aimed at visualizing bacteria, both in a free-living form and in biofilm formation. In addition, a description is given of nanozyme-based sensors that selectively detect biomarkers of bacterial infections using a luminescent signal. This review is focused on further progress in the development of luminescent nanozymes for the detection of bacterial pathogens, as well as on the search for innovative nanozyme technologies that expand the capabilities of clinical microbiology.