Nanomaterial-assisted strategies for DNA isolation, separation and adsorption: mechanisms, materials and applications

The ability to isolate and purify deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from samples is a milestone in the field of forensic genomics, clinical molecular diagnostics and environmental monitoring. Conventional extraction procedures, such as phenol-chloroform or silica column chromatography face major drawbacks. Their shortcomings include scalability, reproducibility, reagent toxicity and reduced efficiency when dealing with trace or degraded samples. Nanotechnology has offered a major leap in DNA extraction and purification. It offers high surface area molecules to effectively adsorb and capture DNA molecules by tailoring the underlying physicochemical reactions. This review presents the underlying mechanisms of DNA-nanomaterial interactions namely the electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking mechanisms. A summarized overview is also provided highlighting the advancements in nanomaterial classes. The variety of nanomaterials ranges from superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and carbon nanotubes to next-generation lanthanide metal–organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs). These particles represent more than 150% DNA extraction efficiency in terms of mass ratio extraction. The importance and significance of surface functionalization in DNA-nanomaterial interaction and overall, in controlling the binding mechanisms and kinetics is highlighted, specifically thiol-gold chemistry and covalent amination. Moreover, the incorporation of these nanomaterials in microfluidic platforms for point-of-care diagnostics and high-throughput automated systems is analyzed. Finally, the review transforms towards a critical assessment of these materials in terms of their economic feasibility, environmental impact, and industrial scalability challenges that majorly define the gap present in current literature, laboratory research and commercialization. The present manuscript aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), and promotes research that contributes to these global priorities through molecular, genetic, and cytological approaches.