Glycan-lectin interactions powered biosensors for the instant screening of viruses and beyond

Pathogenic viruses constitute a hazard factor to public hygiene. The usage of biosensors for instant screening of viruses is becoming increasingly prevalent due to their ultrafast, desirable sensitivity, simple operation and on-site test. Receptors are the critical element of biosensors. They determine the specificity, stability and sensitivity. As promising alternative receptors, glycans and lectins were investigated extensively in viral discrimination thanks to their great stability, acceptable cost and the unique feature of avoiding immune evasion. Herein, insights into glycan-lectin interactions between viruses and host cells were provided. General strategies for developing glycan and lectin biosensors were summarized and their applications in coronaviruses, influenza viruses, arboviruses and other viruses were discussed. In conclusion, the challenges and future trends in the advancement and evolution of glycan-related biosensors are emphasized. That includes machine learning-aided selection of glycans or lectins and the design of hybrid sensing surfaces or receptors for viral detection.