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Electrochemical DNA sensors

Nature Biotechnology volume 21, pages 1192–1199 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Electrochemistry-based sensors offer sensitivity, selectivity and low cost for the detection of selected DNA sequences or mutated genes associated with human disease. DNA-based electrochemical sensors exploit a range of different chemistries, but all take advantage of nanoscale interactions between the target in solution, the recognition layer and a solid electrode surface. Numerous approaches to electrochemical detection have been developed, including direct electrochemistry of DNA, electrochemistry at polymer-modified electrodes, electrochemistry of DNA-specific redox reporters, electrochemical amplifications with nanoparticles, and electrochemical devices based on DNA-mediated charge transport chemistry.

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Figure 1: General DNA biosensor design.
Figure 2: Schematic representation of guanine oxidation mediated by a ruthenium complex in solution.
Figure 3: Electrochemical 'sandwich' assays.
Figure 4: Scheme for an enzymatic amplification of DNA hybridization signal.
Figure 5: Electrochemical assay for mismatches through DNA-mediated charge transport.
Figure 6: Electrochemically based DNA sensors for protein analytes.
Figure 7: High-sensitivity conductivity assay.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the National Institutes of Health for their financial support of our research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, 91125, California, USA

    T Gregory Drummond & Jacqueline K Barton

  2. Chemistry Department, Occidental College, Los Angeles, 90041, California, USA

    Michael G Hill

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Correspondence to Jacqueline K Barton.

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Drummond, T., Hill, M. & Barton, J. Electrochemical DNA sensors. Nat Biotechnol 21, 1192–1199 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt873

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