Advances in ferritin biosensors: rapid and cost-effective iron level assessment

Sena Vonalıoğlu; Muhammed Dağhan Okur; Recep Ustunsoy; Tahsin Ertaş; Bircan Dinc

doi:10.38042/biotechstudies.1756979

Advances in ferritin biosensors: rapid and cost-effective iron level assessment

Abstract

Iron is an essential element crucial for oxygen transport in the bloodstream; however, deviations from its normal physiological levels can result in health complications. Iron deficiency is a widespread condition and a leading cause of anemia globally. Conversely, excessive iron accumulation can cause severe liver damage, such as cirrhosis, by exacerbating oxidative stress. Consequently, assessing iron status through biomarkers like ferritin, which is a protein that reflects the body’s iron stores, is critical for diagnosing iron-related disorders accurately. The ferritin test, which measures the concentration of ferritin protein in the blood, is a standard method for iron analysis. However, frequent hospital visits for such testing can be both time-intensive and expensive. This has driven significant interest in developing rapid and cost-effective methods for ferritin detection. To meet this demand, a variety of biosensors have been designed using diverse techniques to enable convenient ferritin analysis. Despite considerable advancements in biosensor technologies, a comprehensive classification and analysis of these devices remain lacking, leaving researchers without a unified understanding of their comparative strengths and limitations. This review addresses this gap by systematically categorizing ferritin biosensors based on their underlying mechanisms. The review explores electrochemical biosensors, such as those based on graphene, microfluidics, and ZnO–Mn₃O₄ nanocomposites, as well as electrical biosensors using quantum dots or gold nanorods. Additionally, optical biosensors, including photonic crystal sensors, surface plasmon resonance systems and magnesium sulfide nanosheets are discussed in detail. Unconventional and immunoassay-based biosensors, such as nanodiamond-based magnetic sensors and nanowire FETs, are also examined to highlight the breadth of detection strategies available. With the rising prevalence of iron-related disorders and the limitations of traditional diagnostic tools, this review underscores the critical need for portable, rapid, and cost-effective ferritin biosensing technologies, offering insights relevant to both clinical practice and future research.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Medical Biotechnology Diagnostics

Journal Section

Review Article

Authors

Sena Vonalıoğlu
0009-0001-3804-8769
Türkiye

Muhammed Dağhan Okur
0009-0003-7417-8792
Türkiye

Recep Ustunsoy This is me
0000-0002-0448-9531
Türkiye

Tahsin Ertaş
0000-0002-1572-1383
Türkiye

Bircan Dinc ^* This is me
0000-0002-9717-6410
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

August 2, 2025

Publication Date

December 29, 2025

Submission Date

October 16, 2024

Acceptance Date

July 9, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 34 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.38042/biotechstudies.1756979

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA84WA77TE

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Vonalıoğlu, S., Okur, M. D., Ustunsoy, R., Ertaş, T., & Dinc, B. (2025). Advances in ferritin biosensors: rapid and cost-effective iron level assessment. Biotech Studies, 34(2), 86-104. https://doi.org/10.38042/biotechstudies.1756979

AMA

1.Vonalıoğlu S, Okur MD, Ustunsoy R, Ertaş T, Dinc B. Advances in ferritin biosensors: rapid and cost-effective iron level assessment. Biotech Studies. 2025;34(2):86-104. doi:10.38042/biotechstudies.1756979

Chicago

Vonalıoğlu, Sena, Muhammed Dağhan Okur, Recep Ustunsoy, Tahsin Ertaş, and Bircan Dinc. 2025. “Advances in Ferritin Biosensors: Rapid and Cost-Effective Iron Level Assessment”. Biotech Studies 34 (2): 86-104. https://doi.org/10.38042/biotechstudies.1756979.

EndNote

Vonalıoğlu S, Okur MD, Ustunsoy R, Ertaş T, Dinc B (December 1, 2025) Advances in ferritin biosensors: rapid and cost-effective iron level assessment. Biotech Studies 34 2 86–104.

IEEE

[1]S. Vonalıoğlu, M. D. Okur, R. Ustunsoy, T. Ertaş, and B. Dinc, “Advances in ferritin biosensors: rapid and cost-effective iron level assessment”, Biotech Studies, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 86–104, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.38042/biotechstudies.1756979.

ISNAD

Vonalıoğlu, Sena - Okur, Muhammed Dağhan - Ustunsoy, Recep - Ertaş, Tahsin - Dinc, Bircan. “Advances in Ferritin Biosensors: Rapid and Cost-Effective Iron Level Assessment”. Biotech Studies 34/2 (December 1, 2025): 86-104. https://doi.org/10.38042/biotechstudies.1756979.

JAMA

1.Vonalıoğlu S, Okur MD, Ustunsoy R, Ertaş T, Dinc B. Advances in ferritin biosensors: rapid and cost-effective iron level assessment. Biotech Studies. 2025;34:86–104.

MLA

Vonalıoğlu, Sena, et al. “Advances in Ferritin Biosensors: Rapid and Cost-Effective Iron Level Assessment”. Biotech Studies, vol. 34, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 86-104, doi:10.38042/biotechstudies.1756979.

Vancouver

1.Sena Vonalıoğlu, Muhammed Dağhan Okur, Recep Ustunsoy, Tahsin Ertaş, Bircan Dinc. Advances in ferritin biosensors: rapid and cost-effective iron level assessment. Biotech Studies. 2025 Dec. 1;34(2):86-104. doi:10.38042/biotechstudies.1756979