Surface plasmon-based optical detection of DNA by peptide nucleic acids

Surface plasmon-based optical methods using peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) probes have recently emerged as powerful and highly sensitive tools for DNA and RNA detection. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a powerful technique for the high sensitive and label-free detection of nucleic acids while PNAs help in targeting complementary sequences with exceptionally high selectivity and sensitivity. The present review summarizes the research efforts paid over the last years in the above mentioned field. in particular, fundamental aspects of the SPR detection of the PNA/DNA hybridization will be discussed. Then, research activities aimed at demonstrating the ultrasensitive DNA detection and the possibilities offered in single nucleotide polymorphisms detection will be presented. The contribution given by surface plasmon-allied techniques and by the combined use of the electrochemical detection will be also discussed. The SPR detection of DNA by chiral PNAs will be finally mentioned.