Point-of-Care Electrochemical Diagnostic Developments for Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria: Role of Aptamers and Nanomaterials

The unchecked and uncontrolled global spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is a serious challenge to healthcare and modern medicine, and demands diagnostic approaches that are rapid, sensitive, multiplexed, and reliable in point-of-care (POC) settings. At the interface of nanomaterials and aptamer-based biosensing, significant advances have been reported. The convergence of portable electrochemical sensing technologies, smartphone-based readout systems, and artificial intelligence (AI)- and machine learning (ML)-based data analysis is also playing a significant role in advancing this area. This perspective reflects on the most recent breakthroughs and translational developments in electrochemical nano-aptasensors for MDR bacterial detection, covering diagnostic targets and translation trends, nanomaterials advancements, aptamer engineering-integration, POC strategies and microfluidics platforms, and novel multimodal strategies that enhance accuracy, reliability, and efficiency in POC testing. Moreover, limitations and knowledge gaps in this area, as well as key considerations for sustainable development, large-scale manufacturing, and deployment of integrated electrochemical nano-aptasensors, are also highlighted. Electrochemical nano-aptasensors can pave the way for the transformation of MDR bacterial diagnosis, but need coordinated translational efforts for POC diagnostic advancements towards real-world applications.