Empowering Electrochemical Biosensing through Nanostructured or Multifunctional Nucleic Acid or Peptide Biomaterials

Abstract

Electrochemical biosensors continue to evolve at an astonishing pace, con-solidating as competitive tools for determining a wide range of targets and relentlessly strengthening their attributes in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, simplicity, response time, and antifouling ability, making them suitable for getting a foothold in real-world applications. The design and exploitation of nanostructured or multifunctional nucleic acid or peptide biomaterials are playing a determinant role in these achievements. With the aim of high-lighting the potential and opportunities of these biomaterials, this perspec-tive article critically discusses and overviews the electrochemical biosensors reported since 2019 involving nanostructured and multifunctional DNA biomaterials, multifunctional aptamers, modern peptides, and CRISPR/Cas systems. The use of these biomaterials as recognition elements, electrode modifiers (acting as linkers or creating scaffolds with antifouling properties), enzyme substrates, and labeling/carrier agents for signal amplification is discussed through rationally and strategically selected examples, concluding with a personal perspective about the challenges to be faced and future lines of action.