A bioorganometallic approach for rapid electrochemical analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 reverse transcriptase in serum

► Two-dimensional electrochemical assay of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase in serum is presented. ► XPS and ToF-SIMS confirmed binding of synthetic ferrocene-lipoic acid to gold. ► Dynamic range was 100-500 pg mL−1 with an LOD of 50 pg mL−1. ► The biosensor allows sensitive and selective detection of reverse transcriptase in 20 s.