Themed collection Lateral Flow Assays: Methods and Applications


The importance of antibody orientation for enhancing sensitivity and selectivity in lateral flow immunoassays
This review emphasized the crucial role of antibody orientation in enhancing the sensitivity and selectivity of lateral-flow assay test strips.
Sens. Diagn., 2024,3, 1613-1634
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SD00206G

Lateral flow assay-based detection of nuclear fusion oncoprotein: implications for screening of acute promyelocytic leukemia
A lateral flow assay integrated with leukocyte isolation and on-filter cell lysis for the detection of PML–RARα nuclear fusion oncoprotein at point-of-care.
Sens. Diagn., 2025,4, 416-424
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SD00357H

Biotin/avidin-free sandwich aptamer-based lateral flow assay (ALFA) for the diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis
Aptamer lateral flow assay (ALFA) for testing T. vaginalis (Tv) in cervicovaginal lavage (CVL).
Sens. Diagn., 2025,4, 216-228
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SD00342J

Rapid and automated interpretation of CRISPR-Cas13-based lateral flow assay test results using machine learning
We present two machine learning models for rapid and automated interpretation of smartphone-captured images of a CRISPR-Cas13-based lateral flow assay for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 N gene, which classified the test results with 96.5% accuracy.
Sens. Diagn., 2025,4, 171-181
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SD00314D

Non-organic solvent extraction of capsaicinoids from oil combined with fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay strips for on-site identification of illegally recycled waste cooking oil
The illicit use of recycled waste cooking oil poses a threat to food safety, yet there is currently a lack of on-site identification methods.
Sens. Diagn., 2025,4, 147-158
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SD00306C

Improved point-of-care detection of P. gingivalis using optimized surface-enhanced Raman scattering in lateral flow assays
This work takes advantage of SERS–LFA combination to improve tests for P. gingivalis. We optimize the materials for the SERS–LFA, investigating different nanostars, and demonstrate feasibility for POC applications with a handheld Raman prototype.
Sens. Diagn., 2024,3, 839-849
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SD00056K
About this collection
This themed collection, guest edited by Jing Wang (Zhejiang University of Technology), Jiangjiang Zhang (Beijing Institute of Technology) and Yanmin Ju (China Medical University), aims to highlight the current developments in lateral flow assay methods and their applications in various fields. Lateral flow assays (LFAs) are a rapid, cost-effective, and user-friendly diagnostic tool with applications across areas, such as medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, as well as in food and beverages industry.
Ongoing advancements in sensitivity and integration with digital technologies hold promise for further expanding the scope and accuracy of LFAs in the future. This themed collection is poised to encompass the entire spectrum of research in LFAs, ranging from detection methodologies and technologies to the development and application of instruments. Its overarching objective is to encapsulate the latest advancements and forthcoming challenges within this field.