Nanobiosensors: the future for diagnosis of disease?

Abstract

Nanotechnology is having a profound impact on the development of a new class of biosensors known as nanobiosensors. Nanobiosensors commonly comprise a biological recognition molecule immobilized onto the surface of a signal transducer. The reaction between the biorecognition molecule and the analyte is a heterogeneous reaction and therefore the design of the biosensing interface is important in determining the performance of the nanobiosensor. Nanobiosensors are being widely used for molecular detection of biomarkers associated with diagnosis of disease. The application of new nanomaterials in biosensing has influenced biosensing research. The use of high surface area nanomaterials has been important in producing nanobiosensors with greater sensitivity and shorter response times. This review summarizes the advances in disease diagnostics, primarily through the detection of molecular biomarkers, such as proteins and nucleic acids mediated by use of nanobiosensors.