DNA ELECTROCHEMICAL BIOSENSORS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING - A REVIEW

DNA sensing protocols, based on different modes of nucleic acid intera ction, possess an enormous potential for environmental monitoring. Thi s review describes recent efforts aimed at coupling nucleic acid recog nition layers with electrochemical transducers. It considers DNA hybri dization sensors for sequences related to microbial or viral pathogens , and DNA-modified carbon electrodes for monitoring low molecular weig ht priority pollutants interacting with the surface-confined DNA. Carb on strip or paste electrode transducers, supporting the DNA recognitio n layer, are used with a highly sensitive chronopotentiometric transdu ction of the DNA analyte recognition event. Factors influencing the pe rformance of these new environmental biosensors are discussed, and the ir environmental utility is illustrated. While the use of DNA biosenso rs is at a very early stage, these and similar developments are expect ed to have a profound effect on environmental analysis.