Nucleic acid biosensors based upon surface-assembled monolayers: exploiting and enhancing materials properties

The use of self-assembled monolayers for the fabrication of nucleic acid recognition interfaces has opened up a host of new opportunities for DNA biosensors with regard to (1) exploiting differences in the physical properties of single-stranded DNA probes relative to double-stranded nucleic acids for the development of hybridisation biosensors, and (2) tailoring the interface for the control of protein interactions such that biosensors can be developed, and also to permit access by nucleic acid modifying enzymes for the purposes of sensing and fabrication of nucleic acid nanostructures.