Gold-based nanohybrid materials in biosensing

Sensors based on nanohybrid materials are a new area of research owing to the successful development of nanobiotechnologies. Nanohybrids are next-generation materials that have become widely popular thanks to their multifunctionality. The introduction of nanohybrids in biosensorics allows one to increase the sensitivity, detection range, selectivity, and reproducibility of analysis. Among metallic nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles are used most widely in biosensorics, because they are easy to make, functionalize, and manipulate. Being highly biocompatible and stable, they are used both in traditional biosensors (colorimetric, electrochemical, or fluorescent) and in nanoparticle-specific biosensors based on the surface plasmon resonance and on surface-enhanced Raman scattering. This review summarizes the progress made in the development of biosensors based on gold-based nanohybrid materials and their efficacy in the field of nanobiosensor technologies.