# Label-Free Electrochemical Biosensors: An Updated Perspective Focused on Genosensing, Multiplexing, and Commercial Potential

## TL;DR

This review discusses label-free electrochemical biosensors for disease detection, focusing on their potential for early, low-cost, and portable diagnostics.

## Contribution

The paper provides an updated perspective on genosensing, multiplexing, and commercial challenges in label-free electrochemical biosensors.

## Key findings

- Label-free electrochemical biosensors offer high sensitivity and low-cost architectures for point-of-care testing.
- DNA biosensors and multiplexed configurations show promise for detecting disease biomarkers.
- Barriers to commercialization include bioreceptor stability, limited real-sample validation, and scalable manufacturing challenges.

## Abstract

The increasing impact of infectious, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases has intensified the demand for early and decentralized diagnostics. Label-free electrochemical biosensors are promising candidates, offering high sensitivity, low reagent consumption and miniaturizable, low-cost architectures for point-of-care (PoC) testing. This review summarizes advances in immobilization strategies, recognition elements such as DNA, antibodies, aptamers, and molecularly imprinted polymers, as well as electrode platforms including glassy carbon, screen-printed, and 3D-printed systems, with an emphasis on DNA biosensors, multiplexed configurations, and applications to disease biomarkers. Beyond analytical performance, we critically examine the barriers that keep most devices at the proof-of-concept stage, including bioreceptor stability and immobilization, limited validation in real samples, reliance on conventional materials, challenges in scalable manufacturing, transport, and storage, and the absence of fully integrated PoC systems. Finally, we discuss significant advances in sensitivity, reproducibility, and application to real samples, but note that translation to real-world use and commercialization remains limited.