Abstract
The aim of the present paper is to review research efforts in the area of electrochemical DNA analysis. The oxidation, adsorption and determination of DNA at carbon electrodes were described for the first time 10-20 years ago. In recent years, sequence specific biosensors for the detection of DNA sequences have been studied widely. The DNA electrochemical sensor is based on the adsorptive attachment of ss-olygonucleotide probes onto the carbon paste transducer, their hybridization with the complementary sequence targets, binding of the indicator to the hybrid, and chronopotentiometric monitoring of the hybridization process (via the increased indicator peak). This biosensor allowed direct quantification of the target sequence following short (10-30 min) hybridization time. Also ds-DNA modified electrodes can be employed for detecting analytes (hydrazine, quinacrme, etc.) interacting with DNA immobilized layers. While the use of DNA biosensors is at a very early stage, these and similar developments are expected to have a profound effect on DNA analysis.
