Abstract:

In the context of an increasingly severe global public health situation， diseases caused by bacteria and viruses have become a global threat， severely impacting human health worldwide. Rapid and accurate pathogen detection is crucial for preventing infectious diseases and plays a vital role in safeguarding public health through effective preventive measures. Against this backdrop， the development of efficient， simple， low-cost and widely applicable detection methods has become a key research direction in public health. As a novel detection platform， paper-based microfluidic devices （μPADs） open new pathways for pathogen detection due to their unique design and integrated properties， showing significant potential in medical diagnostics and beyond. Their low cost and ease of use make them particularly appealing for point-of-care pathogen testing， a field in which they are gaining increasing attention. These devices are user-friendly， require no complex equipment， and are easy to transport and store. This article provides an in-depth exploration of μPADs， discussing comprehensive material design considerations for microfluidic applications. It will also examine advanced fabrication techniques and innovative detection technologies in detail. Furthermore， practical detection cases for specific pathogens such as Escherichia coli （E. coli） and norovirus will be presented to demonstrate the significant advantages of these devices in applications. As scientific research advances， μPADs are expected to play an increasingly significant role and poised to greatly enhance global public health efforts. Their inherent simplicity and affordability make them ideally suited for regions with limited access to sophisticated laboratory infrastructure. They enable convenient on-site testing， which significantly reduces both time expenditure and operational costs. Furthermore， their portability makes them suitable for deployment in disaster relief scenarios and remote fieldwork. Rapid pathogen identification is crucial for effective outbreak containment. To advance this goal， μPADs can be integrated with high-sensitivity sensors and intelligent data processing modules. Advancements in material science have facilitated the development of highly sensitive and stable paper-based substrates for diverse applications. Simultaneously， nanotechnology enables the fabrication of miniaturized components. Meanwhile， bioengineering has contributed to highly sensitive detection probes. These probes can detect pathogens even at very low concentrations. In conclusion， continuous technological advancements are positioning μPADs at the forefront of diagnostic innovation. As research and development progresses， their role in global public health is anticipated to expand considerably. This progress offers considerable promise for enhancing global disease surveillance and response capabilities. The potential is largely due to the inherent simplicity of μPADs， which makes them accessible worldwide. Their low cost， portability， and ease of operation by personnel with minimal training make them particularly advantageous in low-resource settings and provide a robust platform for rapid， on-site diagnostic testing. The modular design of these devices facilitates extensive customization and scalability. This enables them to be tailored for the detection of a broad spectrum of pathogens. The technology is also readily scalable for mass production， facilitating widespread distribution. These attributes collectively make it a versatile and indispensable tool for global health initiatives. The integration of these devices with mobile technology represents a significant leap forward， enabling real-time digital tracking and monitoring of disease outbreaks. This capability significantly enhances rapid response and epidemic containment efforts. Furthermore， the collected data can also be leveraged for broader public health surveillance and epidemiological studies. The potential of this technology to revolutionize point-of-care diagnostics is immense. μPADs can deliver accurate results within minutes， a stark contrast to the hours or days required by conventional laboratory methods. This rapid turnaround time facilitates faster clinical decision-making and intervention， ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. Moreover， μPADs hold considerable promise for the rapid detection of novel or emerging pathogens. As research and development continue unabated， the functional capabilities of μPADs are anticipated to expand significantly. Future iterations may incorporate cutting-edge detection methodologies and advancements in nanotechnology to further enhance sensitivity and accuracy. Such enhancements will further solidify the pivotal role of μPADs in global public health surveillance and infectious disease control strategies. Ultimately， μPADs hold immense potential to save lives worldwide by enabling rapid pathogen detection and effectively curbing the transmission of infectious diseases.

Key words: paper-based microfluidics, pathogens, paper-based materials, fabrication methods, point-of-care testing