DNA Biosensors Based on Metal Nanoparticles

Due to their unique properties including the small size, high surface-to-bulk ratio, interesting optical, electric, and catalytic properties, metal nanoparticles attract much attention and have been used as promising new materials in nano-technology with numerous applications, such as the powerful signal indicators and the effective electrode modifier in DNA biosensors. As a result, the introduction of metal nanoparticles into DNA biosensing techniques has offered excellent prospects for the miniaturization and cost-efficient detection of DNA analysis system with high sensitivity and selectivity. In this short review, we would like to place emphasis on the recent new studies on DNA biosensing techniques combining metal nanoparticle-based signal amplification. Different assay strategies based on metal nanoparticle for investigating DNA hybridization are presented herein, including optical, electrochemical, electrical, gravimetric, and magnetic signal transduction techniques, along with the advantages of each detection method combining metal nanoparticle as a powerful amplifier.