Electrochemical DNA Sensors Based on Nanomaterials for Pharmaceutical Determination

This chapter presents an overview of recent achievements in the development of DNA biosensors for pharmaceutical applications and gene detection. Herein, the focus is on discussing the role and importance of nano-sized components offering new opportunities in the aspects of sensitivity of assay and microfabrication of DNA sensors as parts of microfluidics and lab-on-chip devices. Nanomaterials and metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have been considered as a part of biorecognition system and their influence on the performance of DNA sensors has been illustrated by examples of drug determination and gene detection. In this chapter, MOFs have also been discussed as novel materials that serve for the protection of DNA sensors against environmental and nuclease degradation. Due attention has been paid to the mechanism of signal generation and the role of microenvironment of the DNA immobilized on the transducer for the analytical characteristics of the response.