. 2020 Aug 18;1:100034. doi: 10.1016/j.sintl.2020.100034

Table 1.

Comparison of five types of nanosensors based on different detection method for studying sequence specific DNA-binding interactions.

Detection method	Nanoparticle applied	Advantages	Limitations
Colorimetric	Noble metal nanoparticles	• Easy readout (possible for visual detection) • Equipment free & onsite detection with mobile devices • Cost-effective	o Nanoparticles may be unstable in high salt condition o Non-specific adsorption or fouling of nanoparticle surfaces o Visual detection is usually qualitative
Dynamic light scattering (DLS)	Metal nanoparticle	• High sensitivity • Requires less nanoparticles to get scattering signal • Label-free • Fast • High-throughput	o Requires a sophisticated equipment o Only for detection in solution
Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)	Metal nanostructures	• High sensitivity • Molecular fingerprint specificity • Fast • High-throughput	o Usually requires a sophisticated equipment o Requires a well-engineered SERS substrate for enhanced signal
Fluorescence	Quantum dots; Carbon dots; Metal nanoclusters; Conjugated polymers; AIE dyes	• High sensitivity • Multiplexing using different fluorescent materials with tunable emission colors	o Photobleaching of fluorescent nanomaterials o Usually requires a fluorimeter
Electrochemical	Metal nanoparticles; Carbon nanomaterials; Conducting polymers	• High sensitivity • Real-time monitoring • Onsite detection with a portable potentiostat	o Requires the use of electroactive indicators o Interference from oxidation at high voltages o Non-specific adsorption of biomolecules to electrode surfaces