Toward Imaging Biosensors for Spatial Mapping of Analytes in Macroscopic Specimens

ABSTRACT Imaging biosensors take advantage of biosensing principles and imaging tools to visualize and map analytes in real specimens. They find applications in environmental monitoring, in situ biomarker detection, food safety, precision agriculture, and research. They offer valuable information about how analytes are distributed spatially, helping to uncover chemical phenomena in large‐scale samples that were previously unnoticed. This perspective presents examples of imaging biosensors that utilize different detection techniques, including colorimetry, fluorescence, bioluminescence, ultrasound‐assisted, electrochemical, and thermometric sensing. It discusses challenges and projects what still must be done to improve this technology and demonstrate new applications.