Lateral Flow Immunoassay Technologies for Biomarker Detection

Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) represent a class of paper-based diagnostic devices designed for rapid, on-site detection of specific biomarkers in complex samples. At their core, these assays rely on capillary action to transport a liquid specimen across a series of overlapping membranes that host immobilised biorecognition elements and labelled detection probes. When a target biomarker binds to a labelled antibody or alternative affinity ligand, a visible signal appears at a test line, providing a qualitative or semi-quantitative readout within minutes. The simplicity, low cost and ease of interpretation of LFIAs have underpinned their global success in areas such as infectious disease screening, environmental monitoring, food safety and clinical biochemistry. Nonetheless, the conventional format—often based on colloidal gold nanoparticles and visual inspection—can be limited by sensitivity thresholds, lack of multiplex capability and subjectivity in result interpretation. Recent advances aim to overcome these barriers through novel signal transducers, engineered affinity reagents, digital readers and data-driven analysis, thereby extending the dynamic range, enhancing quantification and enabling high-throughput or multiplexed detection in point-of-care settings worldwide.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated the integration of deep learning architectures with LFIA platforms to accelerate and refine result interpretation. By analysing real-time image data from lateral flow strips, these approaches have achieved accurate diagnostic decisions in under two minutes, outperforming standard human reads at 15 minutes. This method applies time-series AI models to both infectious and non-infectious biomarker assays, substantially reducing assay durations and enhancing reliability for non-expert users in decentralised settings.

Another key development has centred on multiplex detection of multiple targets using up-converting phosphor technology. A ten-channel disc format incorporates distinct phosphor labels on individual strips, enabling simultaneous, quantitative detection of ten foodborne pathogens within 20 minutes. This high-throughput format exhibits minimal cross-reactivity and strong concordance with culture-based methods, illustrating the feasibility of multiplexed biomarker screening in field and laboratory environments.

Lateral Flow Immunoassay Technologies for Biomarker Detection publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in lateral flow immunoassay technologies for biomarker detection across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA): A paper-based device that uses capillary flow and labelled affinity reagents to detect specific biomarkers in a sample, yielding rapid visual or instrument-read results.

Biomarker: A measurable biological molecule or molecular interaction indicative of a physiological or pathological state, used for diagnosis, prognosis or therapeutic monitoring.

Nanozyme: A nanomaterial with enzyme-like catalytic activity that can substitute for natural enzymes in signal amplification and biosensing applications.

Up-converting phosphor: A luminescent material that absorbs low-energy photons and emits higher-energy light, enabling sensitive and multiplexed detection in LFIAs.

Multiplexing: The simultaneous detection of multiple analytes or biomarkers within a single assay format, increasing throughput and informational content.

Point-of-care testing: Diagnostic procedures performed at or near the site of patient care or sample collection, designed for rapid decision-making without central laboratory infrastructure.

References

1. Advancements in nanozyme-enhanced lateral flow assay platforms for precision in food authentication. Trends in Food Science & Technology (2024).
2. Rapid deep learning-assisted predictive diagnostics for point-of-care testing. Nature Communications (2024).
3. Rapid multiplex detection of 10 foodborne pathogens with an up-converting phosphor technology-based 10-channel lateral flow assay. Scientific Reports (2016).
4. Toward Next Generation Lateral Flow Assays: Integration of Nanomaterials. Chemical Reviews (2022).
5. Tailoring noble metal nanoparticle designs to enable sensitive lateral flow immunoassay. Theranostics (2022).