Array-based sensing with nanoparticles: 'chemical noses' for sensing biomolecules and cell surfaces.

Nanoparticle-based arrays have been used to distinguish a wide range of biomolecular targets through pattern recognition. In this report, we highlight new 'chemical nose' methodologies that use nanoparticle systems to provide high sensitivity sensing of biomolecular targets, including fluorescent polymer/gold nanoparticle complexes that can discriminate between different bioanalytes including proteins, bacteria, and mammalian cells as well as dye-based micellar systems for the detection of clinically important metalloproteins and nonmetalloproteins.