Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
costsandcomplicatedproceduresinvolved.Currentelectrochemical
genosensors can overcome these drawbacks as these assays are
moreaffordable,rapidandeasiertoperform,whilemaintaininghigh
sensitivity andspecificity [29].
The newly developed concept of the “lab-on-chip” integrates
the chip, and the components for DNA extraction, amplification
and detection, with the advantages of a detection system that
requires only a small sample and few reagents. It is cost effective,
has enhanced rapidity, high-level performance and can be highly
automated [29].
Theoptimizedgenosensorprocedureusedinthisstudyisunique
and universal in that it can detect both biotin- and fluorescein-
labeled PCR amplicons from any organism, allowing the early and
precise diagnosisof infectiousagents[8].
Furthermore,theintegrationofself-assembledmonolayer(SAM)
nanoscale chemical structures with an electrochemical sensing
systemallowsrapidandultralowconcentrationsensingassaysthat
willpreclude the need forPCR amplification in the future [19].
15.5 Conclusion
Genosensorassaysaremoreusefulandinformativethanagarosegel
andDNAchromatography-basedtestsforDNAdetectionastheygive
quantitative rather than qualitative results. Furthermore, the use of
a hand-held portable reader makes it suitable for use in the field.
Therefore, in the future, genosensors will be applicable to a wide
varietyofapplications,whichincludeidentificationofantimicrobial-
resistance determinants, other microorganisms or mutant genes in
hospitals and environmentalsettings.
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