Review: Novel sensing strategies for bacterial detection based on active and passive methods driven by external field.

For sustainable human life, biosensing systems for contaminants or disease-causing bacteria are crucial for food security, environmental improvement, and disease prevention. With an aim of enhancing the sensitivity and detection speed, many researchers have developed efficient detection methods for target bacteria. In this review, we discuss recent topics related to active and passive bacterial detection methods, including (1) optical approaches with unique functional nano- and micro-structures, and (2) electrical approaches involving mechanical modulation and electrochemical reactions. Particularly, we discuss the prospects in the development of label-free, rapid, and highly sensitive biosensors based on active detection principles with light-induced dynamics, in conjunction with dielectrophoresis-induced selective trapping.