Voltammetric aptasensors for protein disease biomarkers detection: a review

Abstract

An electrochemical aptasensor is a compact analytical device where the bioreceptor (aptamer) is coupled to a transducer surface to convert a biological interaction into a measurable signal (current) that can be easily processed, recorded and displayed. Since the discovery of the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Enrichment (SELEX) methodology, the selection of aptamers and their application as bioreceptors has become a promising tool in the design of electrochemical aptasensors. Aptamers present several advantages that highlight their usefulness as bioreceptors such as chemical stability, cost effectiveness and ease of modification towards detection and immobilization at different transducer surfaces. In this review, a special emphasis is given to the potential use of electrochemical aptasensors for the detection of protein disease biomarkers using voltammetry techniques. Methods for the immobilization of aptamers onto electrode surfaces are discussed, as well as different electrochemical strategies that can be used for the design of aptasensors.