Engineering Lipid Mesophases for Biosensors

Abstract

Self-assembled lipid mesophases are gaining attention as versatile platforms for biosensing. Their polymorphic forms—including lamellar, hexagonal, and bicontinuous cubic phases—offer nanoscale architectures with distinct transport, mechanical, and optical characteristics. These structures can preserve the activity of biomolecules, facilitate efficient charge and mass transfer, and provide membrane-like interfaces for the detection of biomolecules, including metabolites, nucleic acids, proteins, and viruses. This review summarizes the fundamental principles of lipid mesophase formation and examines how their properties can be tuned by altering composition, introducing polymers or nanoparticles, or applying external stimuli. We further highlight recent advances in their use for electrochemical, optical, and affinity-based biosensing. We also discuss current limitations related to reproducibility, stability, and device integration, and identify opportunities in rational design, hybrid systems, and portable or implantable platforms. Overall, engineered lipid mesophases hold significant potential as foundations for next-generation biosensors that unite sensitivity, selectivity, and practical usability.