Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
Screen-Printed Electrodes for
Electrochemical DNA Detection
Graciela Mart´ınez-Paredes, Mar´ıa BegonaGonzalez-Garc´ıa,
and Agust´ınCosta-Garc´ıa
Departamento de Quımica Fısica y Analıtica, Facultad de Quımica,
Universidad de Oviedo, Juli an Claverıa s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
costa@uniovi.es
The concept of DNA biosensors is sustained by the need for rapid
and highly sensitive analytical tools for genetic detection. Their
implementation is based on three steps: (i) immobilization of
single-stranded oligonucleotide (probe) onto a transducer surface;
(ii) hybridization with its complementary DNA sequence (target) in
order to form the DNA duplex called hybrid, and (iii) conversion of
the hybridization event into an analytical signal by the transducer
surface.Awidevarietyofmeasurementsystemshadbeenemployed
[1], however, since Palecek discovered the electrochemical activity
of nucleic acids [2], the electrochemical studies on the behavior and
recognition of DNA have attracted considerable attention. In this
way, electrochemistry provides fast, simple, and low-cost detection
systems to produce biosensors promising a simple, accurate, and
inexpensiveplatform for patient diagnosis[3-6].
