Electrochemical DNA Detection Using Carbon Nanotubes

The use of nanomaterials in many life sciences for biological, pharmaceutical, clinical and environmental applications has attracted great attention. Among these nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are widely used due to their good chemical, mechanical, electrical, optical and thermal properties. CNTs are also superior to other carbon-based materials mainly in special structure features. These advantages make CNTs very popular in electrochemistry for many applications including nanoelectronic devices, composites, chemical sensors and biosensors. Electrochemistry allows rapid, low cost and easy preparation of new electrodes for different purposes. The detection of DNA using electrochemical techniques is in increasing demand for obtaining high sensitivity, selectivity and stability. In this sense, the combination of electrochemistry and CNTs provides great opportunities by promoting electron transfer reactions, increasing surface area, enhancing signals and maintaining biocompatibility. This work summarizes the methodologies used in electrochemical DNA detection based on CNTs. Electrochemical DNA detection using CNT modified electrodes, CNT-polymer modified electrodes, CNT-nanoparticle modified electrodes and their applications are discussed in details. The combination of these technologies for electrochemical DNA detection is also summarized in the work.