Recent advances in oligonucleotide-based sensor technology for detection of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) in the environment

Abstract Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can imitate natural hormones and interact with the endocrine system. Their widespread occurrence in everyday products, such as plastics, flame retardants, pesticides, or pharmaceuticals, has contributed to their frequent detection in environmental compartments, where they pose a potential threat to living organisms, even at very small concentrations. Current methods of EDC detection include liquid/gas chromatography, usually combined with mass spectroscopy. However, usually the concentration of EDCs is below the chromatography limit of detection. Thus there is an emerging need for development of novel, more sensitive method of detection. Oligonucleotide-based sensor technology exhibits high selectivity and detection limit can reach even femtomolar concentrations of the compound. Compared to conventional methods this method is rapid, cost effective, and less labor intensive. The present chapter provides an overview on recent research development of oligonucleotide-based sensor methods and highlights their importance in EDCs detection.