title: Functionalized gold nanoparticles for ultrasensitive DNA detection.
abstract: A major challenge in the area of DNA detection is the development of rapid methods that do not require polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the genetic sample. The PCR amplification step increases the cost of the assay, the complexity of the detection, and the quantity of DNA required for the assay. In this context, methods that are able to perform DNA analyses with ultrasensitivity have recently been investigated with the aim of developing new PCR-free detection protocols. Functionalized gold nanoparticles have played a central role in the development of such methods. Here, possibilities offered by functionalized gold nanoparticle in the ultrasensitive detection of DNA are discussed. The different functionalization protocols available for gold nanoparticles and the principal DNA detection methods that are able to detect DNA at the femtomolar to attomolar level are presented.
authors.affiliation: Scuola Superiore di Catania, c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura Maria
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Zanoli
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Agata
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spoto
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D001710:Biotin / Q000737:chemistry; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D058525:Quartz Crystal Microbalance Techniques / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance
chemical_list: D012834:Silver; D001710:Biotin; D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA