Issue 30, 2014

Cellulose: from biocompatible to bioactive material

Abstract

Since the papyri, cellulose has played a significant role in human culture, especially as paper. Nowadays, this ancient product has found new scientific applications in the expanding sector of paper-based technology. Among paper-based devices, paper-based biosensors raise a special interest. The high selectivity of biomolecules for target analytes makes these sensors efficient. Moreover, simple paper-based detection devices do not require hardware or specific technical skill. They are inexpensive, rapid, user-friendly and therefore highly promising for providing resource-limited settings with point-of-care diagnostics. The immobilization of biomolecules onto cellulose is a key step in the development of these sensing devices. Following an overview of cellulose structural features and physicochemical properties, this article reviews current techniques for the immobilization of biomolecules on paper membranes. These procedures are categorized into physical, biological and chemical approaches. There is no universal method for biomolecule immobilization. Thus, for a given paper-based biochip, each strategy can be considered.

Graphical abstract: Cellulose: from biocompatible to bioactive material

Article information

Article type
Feature Article
Submitted
18 mar 2014
Accepted
08 may 2014
First published
12 may 2014

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014,2, 4767-4788

Author version available

Cellulose: from biocompatible to bioactive material

J. Credou and T. Berthelot, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014, 2, 4767 DOI: 10.1039/C4TB00431K

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