Perspective-Assessing Electrochemical, Aptamer-Based Sensors for Dynamic Monitoring of Cellular Signaling

ECS Sens Plus. 2023 Dec 1;2(4):042401. doi: 10.1149/2754-2726/ad15a1. Epub 2023 Dec 27.

Abstract

Electrochemical, aptamer-based (E-AB) sensors provide a generalizable strategy to quantitatively detect a variety of targets including small molecules and proteins. The key signaling attributes of E-AB sensors (sensitivity, selectivity, specificity, and reagentless and dynamic sensing ability) make them well suited to monitor dynamic processes in complex environments. A key bioanalytical challenge that could benefit from the detection capabilities of E-AB sensors is that of cell signaling, which involves the release of molecular messengers into the extracellular space. Here, we provide a perspective on why E-AB sensors are suited for this measurement, sensor requirements, and pioneering examples of cellular signaling measurements.

Keywords: aptamer; cell signaling; electrochemical aptamer-based sensors; electrochemistry.