Abstract

A biosensor is a device that converts a biological response into a detectable electrical signal. In recent years, biosensors have gained significant interest due to a plethora of applications in the field of disease diagnosis, detection of various environmental pollutants, food quality analysis, and pharmaceutical drug research. Among various types of biosensors, (such as enzyme-based, immunosensors, DNA biosensors, thermal and piezoelectric biosensors) DNA biosensors are being widely employed because of superior biocompatibility, thermal stability and alternative functionalization. DNA biosensors introduced in recent years include an aptamer-based sensor, molecular beacon-based biosensors, fluorescence-based sensors, hybridizationbased sensors and electrochemical-based DNA biosensors. This chapter highlights the fundamental knowledge and recent advances in the field of DNA-based biosensors. This chapter also focuses on the significance and wide application of DNAbased biosensors in the diverse areas of biotechnology and allied fields.