Electrochemical nucleic acid biosensors

Electrochemical devices have received considerable attention in the development of sequence-specific DNA hybridization biosensors. Such devices rely on the conversion of the DNA base-pair recognition event into a useful electrical signal. Electrochemical biosensing of DNA hybridization is not only uniquely qualified for meeting the size, cost, and power requirements of decentralized genetic testing, but offer an elegant route for interfacing-at the molecular level-the DNA-recognition and signal-transduction elements. This article reviews current directions in electrochemical DNA biosensors, and discusses recent strategies and future prospects for such electrical detection. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.