Electrochemical DNA sensors and aptasensors based on electropolymerized materials and polyelectrolyte complexes

•Electorpolymerization provides easy tool for immobilization of DNA and aptamers.•Polyaniline and polypyrrole can generate the signal on DNA specific interactions.•Polythiophene derivatives and mostly used for DNA immobilization.•Other redox active polymers act as labels and covalent attachment of bioreceptors.•Electropolymerization regime controls the morphology of the deposited layers.•Self-assembling with polyelectrolytes is mainly used for intercalation detection.

DNA sensors based on oligonucleotides and aptamers immobilized using electropolymerization and layer-by-layer assembling are reviewed. The conditions of electropolymerization and the role of electrosynthesized layers are considered for polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, polyphenazines and their derivatives with particular attention to immobilization of bioreceptors and signal detection principles. The performance of DNA sensors for hybridization detection and for the determination of low-molecular intercalators and DNA damaging factors is reviewed. Besides, the composition of polyelectrolyte complexes utilizing DNA receptors are considered depending on the analyte nature and functions of polyionic components and auxiliary reagents used for surface layer coatings.