Developing ultrasensitive, highly selective, cost-effective and reliable detection methods has become extraordinarily important in chemical detection, biological surveillance and disease diagnosis. Nanoscale sensors (nanosensors)-based chemical and biological sensing has gained great progress, substantially benefiting from the advances of nanoengineering and nanomaterials. The nanomaterials possess unique physicochemical, magnetic, electronic, mechanical, thermal and optical properties, which endow the nanosensors with superior sensing performances. The use of novel nanofabrication technologies has made it possible to build the controllable high-density arrays or patterned nanostructures on the nanosensors. The current studies focus on fabricating novel nanomaterials and nanostructures, developing robust nanosensors, and miniaturizing detection devices/systems for field application. Those nanosensors have been a promising trend of detection in the various areas, including medicine analysis, environmental monitoring, food safety, health diagnosis, and homeland security.

The aim of this special issue is to create a platform for the international nanosensing community to share innovative ideas and to present an up-to-date account of advancement in these areas as well as insights gained through field experience. Therefore, we are calling for original research and review articles contributed by the experts in their field. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

1. Sensing principles and mechanisms of nanoscale based fluorescence, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), colorimetry, micro-cantilever, quartz crystal microbalances (QCM), and electrical and electrochemical sensing;

2. Synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials and nanostructures for chemical and biological sensors, including nanoparticles, nanorods, nanowires, nanofibers, nanotubes, quantum dots, and nanostructured films, arrays and patterns as well as their composites, made from polymers, fullerene derivatives, noble metals and metal oxides;

3. Detection and monitoring of variety of targets (inorganic ions, organic molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, biological toxins, microorganisms and cells) in various environments (air, water, soils, foods, and in vitro or in vivo body fluids);

4. Earlier diagnosis of the diseases, such as cancer, malaria, and diabetes, using nanomaterials and nanosensors;

5. Development of novel concepts and new technologies for integrating a nanosensor into a device, (such as microfluidics and nanofluidics, sensor cartridges, and lab-on-a-chip);

6. Demonstration of robust portable and handheld devices or prototypes for simple, rapid and inexpensive but sensitive and reliable chemical and biological sensing in the field.