Progress on the development of DNA-mediated metal nanomaterials for environmental and biological analysis

Nowadays, DNA-mediated metal nanomaterials have received more and more attention due to their distinctive properties of easy synthesis, high stability and good biocompatibility. As a kind of efficient template to mediate the precise synthesis of metal nanomaterials, DNA can not only increase their recognition and biocompatibility, but also precisely control their morphology, structure and further analytical performance. DNA-mediated metal nanomaterials as ultrasensitive and selective probes have unique advantages for in situ rapid analysis of targets in complex samples. Herein, we reviewed the recent progress on synthesis strategies, morphologies, specific properties of DNA-mediated metal nanomaterials including nanoparticles and nanoclusters. Moreover, the applications of DNA-mediated metal nanomaterials to environmental and biological analysis were also summarized. Finally, the developing prospect of DNA-mediated metal nanomaterials in analytical chemistry was discussed and proposed.