Aptamer-based electrochemical biosensors: Signal transduction mechanisms, application progress, and future trends

Abstract

Aptamer-based electrochemical biosensors synergistically integrate the high molecular recognition specificity of nucleic acid aptamers with the rapid and sensitive signal transduction capabilities of electrochemical interfaces, thereby offering a highly promising platform for advanced bioanalytical applications. Recent advances in nanomaterials, micro/nanofabrication technologies, and signal amplification strategies have markedly improved the analytical performance of these biosensors, enabling ultra-sensitive and highly selective detection of a diverse array of analytes, including disease biomarkers, viral particles, and bacterial pathogens. These biosensors are characterized by low cost, facile miniaturization, and compatibility with point-of-care and on-site diagnostic formats, rendering them attractive for real-world applications. Nevertheless, several critical challenges persist, including maintaining sensor stability under complex biological or environmental sample conditions, achieving reliable multiplexed detection, and establishing standardized fabrication protocols for clinical and environmental deployment. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in electrochemical transduction mechanisms and their applications, as depicted in Figure 1, and highlights state-of-the-art innovations at the intersection of chemistry, materials science, biomedical engineering, and environmental monitoring. Furthermore, emerging directions—such as artificial intelligence-assisted data interpretation, wearable biosensing systems, and Internet of Things (IoT)-integrated platforms—are discussed to outline future perspectives toward next-generation intelligent and adaptive biosensing technologies.