Biocontaminants—encompassing pathogenic microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi), biotoxins, allergens, invasive alien species, and their metabolites—originate from diverse sources and are ubiquitous across air, water, soil, food, and medical environments. The impact of biocontaminants on public health, ecological security, and sustainable socioeconomic development has become increasingly prominent, with growing global population, rapid industrialization, and changing ecological environments. 

In recent years, the frequent outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, the global spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the rising number of food biosafety incidents have revealed the lag in current detection technologies and the inadequacies of risk early-warning systems. Concurrently, the interdisciplinary integration of molecular biology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), and sensor technology offers unprecedented solutions for the rapid, highly sensitive, high-throughput, and on-site precision detection of biocontaminants. Under these circumstances, driving the innovation and application of detection technologies, establishing efficient monitoring networks, and refining prevention and control strategies have emerged as urgent priorities for the global scientific and public health communities. 

This special issue aims to assemble novel technologies and practical applications for biocontaminant detection. By establishing an academic exchange platform for researchers, public health experts, and policymakers, this issue seeks to foster collaborative efforts in tackling biological pollution challenges and to contribute to the realization of global biosafety governance objectives. 

Proposed Topics (including but not limited to)

1. Novel Biosensors and Nano-Detection Technologies

 Design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of novel sensing platforms for biocontaminants, including electrochemical sensors, optical sensors (SPR, SERS, fluorescence), piezoelectric sensors, and nanoprobes.

2. Innovations in Molecular Diagnostics

Novel highly sensitive and specific molecular detection methods for biocontaminants based on nucleic acid amplification (PCR, LAMP, RPA), CRISPR, aptamers, and immunoassays.

3. AI-Driven Intelligent Detection and Data Analysis

 Applications of machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision in signal recognition, classification and prediction, concentration quantification, and simultaneous multi-target analysis of biocontaminants.

4. Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) and Portable Devices

Development of rapid detection technologies and portable devices suitable for on-site, resource-limited, and point-of-need scenarios, including test strips, microfluidic chips, and smartphone-integrated detection systems.

5. Detection Challenges and Pretreatment Strategies in Complex Matrices

Novel methods for the enrichment, separation, and pretreatment of biocontaminants in complex samples such as environmental water, aerosols, food matrices, and soil, as well as detection strategies under complex background interference.

6. Multi-Target and Multi-Scenario Integrated Detection Platforms

Development and validation of high-throughput technologies, array sensing, and multifunctional integrated detection systems for the simultaneous detection of multiple biocontaminants.

Guest Editors 

Dr. Yingfu Li, Professor
McMaster University, Canada
E-Mail: liying@mcmaster.ca

Dr. Zhen Zhang, Professor
Jiangsu  University, China
E-Mail: zhenzhang@ujs.edu.cn

Submission Deadline 

The deadline for manuscript submissions is 31 May 2027, but we can accommodate extensions on a case-by-case basis. All papers will be published as open access articles upon acceptance.

Submission Instructions

Manuscripts should be prepared according to the guidelines of Biocontaminant and submitted through the journal's online submission system. Please select the article type of “Special Issues” when submitting your manuscript online. All submitted papers will undergo a rigorous peer-review process.