A team of researchers at the Universitat Politècnica de València (Patricia Noguera), and the Universitat de València (David Giménez), a researcher at the University of Valencia.has reported the development of a low-cost biosensor capable of detecting airborne viruses in real time. The work, introduces a system that operates without the use of chemical markers, sample enrichment, or laboratory analysis. The approach offers a potential path toward continuous monitoring of airborne pathogens in everyday environments such as hospitals, schools, public transportation systems, and agricultural facilities.
Noguera, P., Pastor-Navarro, N., Bernardos, A., Medaglia, S., Alcañiz-Fillol, M., Masot-Peris, R., & Giménez-Romero, D. (2025). LC biosensors (Bio-LC): new resonant sensors for direct detection of airborne viruses. Talanta, 294, 128192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2025.128192
Traditional methods for detecting pathogens in the air generally involve collecting particles over a period of time and then analysing the samples in a laboratory. This process can take hours or even days before results are available, limiting its usefulness for fast-moving outbreaks or environments where rapid decision-making is essential. Real-time biosensors have emerged over the past decade as a possible solution, but existing systems tend to be costly, bulky, and dependent on additional reagents.
David Giménez, a researcher at the University of Valencia stated,
“After the experience with COVID-19, it is easy to understand that determining the presence of pathogens in the air is vital, as it allows us to take preventive measures. Beyond the coronavirus, there are other microorganisms with a high impact on health and the economy, such as hospital superbugs, avian flu and plant pathogens, which makes it essential to monitor indoor environments”.
The new sensor, termed Bio-LC, avoids these challenges by using a resonant LC circuit as the basis for detection. The inductor within the circuit is functionalized with virus-specific receptors, which allows it to register measurable shifts in resonant frequency when viral particles are present in the surrounding air. Because the shift occurs directly at the sensor surface, the process eliminates the need for labels or fluorescent markers that many other biosensing methods rely on. The UPV and UV team used the M13 bacteriophage as a proof of concept because it is safe to handle and well understood in laboratory settings. Detection was achieved at airborne concentrations of approximately three hundred thousand plaque forming units per liter of air, demonstrating that the system can operate without intermediate sampling steps.
The researchers emphasize that this study represents an initial step toward practical airborne virus monitoring. While the use of M13 phage validates the concept, additional work is needed to establish performance with viruses of clinical importance such as influenza or SARS-CoV-2. Concentrations of these pathogens in real indoor environments are often lower than those tested in the laboratory, which raises questions about sensitivity under practical conditions. The complex composition of indoor air also introduces factors such as humidity, dust, and other particles that could interfere with detection.
Nevertheless, the system offers several advantages over current alternatives. The absence of chemical reagents reduces operational costs and simplifies maintenance. The use of a compact resonant circuit design suggests the possibility of scaling down the device for integration into existing ventilation systems or for deployment as standalone monitors in high-risk areas. Because it provides real-time readouts, the technology could shorten the gap between exposure and response, enabling preventive measures such as increased ventilation or targeted disinfection before infections spread widely.
Future research is expected to focus on expanding the range of pathogens detectable with the platform, improving sensitivity for low-concentration airborne viruses, and validating the sensor under field conditions. Integration with wireless data systems and long-term durability testing will also be important for translating the technology from the laboratory to real-world use.
The development of Bio-LC highlights how interdisciplinary approaches, in this case combining electronics, chemistry, and virology, can open new avenues for public health monitoring. While it remains at the proof-of-concept stage, the work carried out at UPV and UV adds to a growing body of research aiming to make airborne pathogen detection faster, cheaper, and more accessible.
Adrian graduated with a Masters Degree (1st Class Honours) in Chemical Engineering from Chester University along with Harris. His master’s research aimed to develop a standardadised clean water oxygenation transfer procedure to test bubble diffusers that are currently used in the wastewater industry commercial market. He has also undergone placments in both US and China primarely focused within the R&D department and is an associate member of the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
