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| Semiconductor quantum dots have attracted growing interest in biosensing area, because of their unique properties, such as narrow and symmetric emission with tunable colors, high quantum yield, high stability and controllable morphology. The introduction of various reactive functional groups on the surface of semiconductor quantum dots allows us to conjugate a spectrum of ligands, antibodies, peptides, or nucleic acids for broader and smarter applications. Among these ligands, aptamers exhibit many advantages including small size, high chemical stability, simple synthesis with high batch-to-batch consistence and convenient modification. More importantly, it is facile to introduce nucleic acid amplification strategies and/or nanomaterials to improve the sensitivity of aptamer-based sensing systems. Therefore, the combination of semiconductor quantum dots and aptamers brings more opportunities in bioanalysis. In this review, we summarize recent advances of aptamer-functionalized semiconductor quantum dots in biosensing applications. Firstly, we discuss the structure and properties of semiconductor quantum dots, as well as aptamers. Then, the application of biosensors based on aptamer-modified semiconductor quantum dots is discussed in the context of different signal transducing mechanisms, including optical, electrochemical and electrogenerated chemiluminescence approaches. Finally, we provide our perspectives on the current challenges and opportunities in this promising field. |
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| Keywords:Analytical chemistry;Semiconductor quantum dots; Aptamer; Biosensors; |
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