Dendrimers based electrochemical biosensors

Abstract

Electrochemical biosensors are portable devices that permit rapid detection and monitoring of biological, chemical and toxic substances. In the electrochemical biosensors, the bioreceptor is incorporated into the transducer surface; and when in contact with the analyte, generates measurable signals proportional to the analyte concentration. Materials with high surface area, high reactivity, and easy dispersability, are most suited for use in biosensors. Dendrimers are nanomaterial gaining importance for fabrication of electrochemical biosensors. These are synthetic macromolecules with regularly branched tree-like and globular structure. The potential applications of dendrimers as biosensors are explored due to their geometric symmetrical structure, chemical stability, controlled shape and size, and varied surface functionalities, with adequate functional groups for chemical fixation. The current review provides multi-faceted use of dendrimers for developing effective, rapid, and versatile electrochemical sensors for biomolecules. The redox centers in the dendrimers play an important role in the electron transfer process during immobilization of biomolecules on the electrodes. This has led to an intensive use of dendrimer based materials for fabrication of electrochemical sensors with improved analytical parameters. The review emphasizes development of new methods and applications of electrochemical biosensors based on novel nanomaterials.