Plasmonic and metamaterial biosensors: A game-changer for virus detection

One of the most important processes in the fight against current and future pandemics is the rapid diagnosis and initiation of treatment of viruses in humans. In these times, the development of high-sensitivity tests and diagnostic kits is an important research area. Plasmonic platforms, which control light in subwavelength volumes, have opened up exciting prospects for biosensing applications. Their significant sensitivity and selectivity allow for the non-invasive and rapid detection of viruses. In particular, plasmonic-assisted virus detection platforms can be achieved by various approaches, including propagating surface and localized plasmon resonances, as well as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. In this review, we discuss both the fundamental principles governing a plasmonic biosensor and prospects for achieving improved sensor performance. We highlight several nanostructure schemes to combat virus-related diseases. We also examine technological limitations and challenges of plasmonic-based biosensing, such as reducing the overall cost and handling of complex biological samples. Finally, we provide a future prospective for opportunities to improve plasmonic-based approaches to increase their impact on global health issues.