The Diagnostic Utility of Electrochemical Impedance

Diagnostic tests currently underpin the majority of patient management decisions and biosensing devices capable of reporting on levels of specific analytes in blood, urine or saliva have already had a profound impact on clinical diagnostics and the quality of life of those unfortunate enough to live with, or be exposed to, disease. Among the range of methodologies available to protein biomarker detection, those based on electroanalysis present the most promising combination of sensitivity, low cost, speed, convenience and multiplexing. To date, a plethora of impedance based assays have been developed for the detection of disease-associated biomarkers through the employment of a range of planar or nanofunctionalized interfaces comprising immobilized antibodies/antigens, oligonucleotide or PNA receptors. This review selectively highlights recent advances in this area.