Recent Advances in Biosensors Using Enzyme-Stabilized Gold Nanoclusters

Area of Science:

• Nanomaterials Science
• Biotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) possess unique properties like small size, large surface area, and fluorescence, making them suitable for biological applications.
• AuNCs require stabilization by ligands (e.g., enzymes) due to their instability in solution, influencing their properties and formation.
• Enzyme-stabilized gold nanoclusters (enzyme-AuNCs) combine AuNCs' optical/electrochemical advantages with enzymes' target specificity for biosensing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the preparation methods and properties of enzyme-AuNCs.
• To explore the application of enzyme-AuNCs in optical and electrochemical biosensors.
• To discuss current challenges and future prospects of enzyme-AuNCs in biosensing.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on enzyme-stabilized gold nanoclusters (enzyme-AuNCs).
• Analysis of preparation techniques for enzyme-AuNCs.
• Examination of optical and electrochemical detection strategies in enzyme-AuNC-based biosensors.

Main Results:

• Enzyme-AuNCs demonstrate significant potential in biosensing due to synergistic properties.
• Various enzyme-AuNC configurations have been developed for diverse biosensing applications.
• Optical and electrochemical detection methods show promise for sensitive and specific analyte detection using enzyme-AuNCs.

Conclusions:

• Enzyme-AuNCs are versatile nanomaterials for advanced biosensor development.
• Further research is needed to overcome challenges and fully realize the potential of enzyme-AuNCs in biomedical and environmental monitoring.
• This review provides interdisciplinary insights into enzyme-AuNC applications.