An article published in Biosensors by Marco Girasole and Giovanni Longo, provides an updated overview of this technology, illustrating its applications in microbiology, medicine, cell biology, and even oncological research.
Nanomotion sensors represent an emerging technology capable of detecting, in real time and without the use of labels, the nanoscale vibrations of living organisms, directly linking them to their metabolic activity. This review examines the development and applications of this technology, focusing on methodologies such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), graphene-based sensors, and optical fiber devices.
Special attention is given to applications in microbiology, where nanomotion sensors are used for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), enabling the effectiveness of drugs to be assessed within just a few hours—even for slow-growing bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Furthermore, the technology is applied to the study of cancer cells, offering potential for personalized oncological therapies.
Advanced data analysis, supported by mathematical models and artificial intelligence algorithms, enhances the sensitivity and reliability of results. As the technology continues to evolve, nanomotion sensors are emerging as versatile tools applicable to both fundamental research and clinical diagnostics, thanks to their ability to integrate with other technologies and their potential for miniaturization and automation.