Development of Electrochemical DNA Biosensors-A Review

Abstract

Electrochemical DNA biosensors are used widely due to its sensitivity, accessibility and accuracy. This electrochemical era in DNA biosensors took almost three decades for its development and application. Purine bases in the DNA namely guanine and adenine oxidizes at the working electrode during application of a positive potential. This property of DNA has been utilized in electrochemical DNA biosensors in various fields from the clinical diagnostics, biomedical, forensic applications till environmental studies. With the use of nanotechnology, various nanomaterials have been utilized over the past years in order to increase the sensitivity of the biosensor. A clear understanding on the DNA immobilization strategy is required for sensor preparation for its various applications. A detailed account on the initial developments till current scenario in electrochemical DNA biosensors have been provided in order to understand the basics of electrochemical DNA biosensor and its application in developing a DNA biosensor.