Click chemistry as a tool in biosensing systems for sensitive copper detection

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Copper is a vital trace metal with significant biological roles.
• Copper detection is crucial for diagnostics and environmental monitoring.
• Utilizing copper's catalytic ability offers a convenient sensing strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review methods for copper determination using copper(I)-catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC).
• To cover contributions to CuAAC-based copper sensing from 2006 to mid-2020.
• To categorize and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different sensing approaches.

Main Methods:

• Summarizes electrochemical, visual, and fluorescence-based detection methods.
• Discusses methodologies for copper determination in water and biological samples.
• Highlights the use of DNA chains and enzymes in sensing systems.

Main Results:

• Covers a wide range of copper detection limits (0.38 aM–20 μM), with typical values of 1–10 nM.
• Discusses methods applicable to diverse sample types, including environmental and biological matrices.
• Identifies DNA and enzyme-based strategies as particularly successful.

Conclusions:

• CuAAC offers versatile platforms for sensitive copper detection.
• The reviewed methods enable copper analysis with minimal complex instrumentation.
• Further development in DNA and enzyme-based sensors promises enhanced diagnostic capabilities.