New nanomaterials such as magnetic nanoparticles, graphene, carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, nanosemiconductors, quantum dots etc. due to showing specific characteristics, are promising candidate for the fabrication, integration and applications of nanodevices, sensors and actuators.

Therefore, there is a felt that it would be timely to organize a special issue on the electrochemistry of nanomaterials containing high profile papers from leading groups in the field presented in one volume. I hope that this issue gives the readers of Advance in Analytical Chemistry a general perspective and a snapshot of the latest cutting edge research in the field. We are proud to have a collection of very high quality papers from diverse countries, which include the use of electrochemistry as a tool to characterize different nanomaterials, as well as the sensing, biosensing, and energy-related applications of new nanomaterials.

A variety of different sensors and biosensors have emerged as successful options for a wide range of applications becoming indispensable tools in life science, medicine, environmental analysis and biotechnology. This special issue will cover both existing and future developments in this multidisciplinary field such as, chemistry, electrochemistry, biochemistry, nanotechnology and physics; including areas such as signal processing, optoelectronics and magnetic systems. Focus will be given to materials, sensing technology and their application, emerging trends and developments. Performance characteristics, such as selectivity and sensitivity will be drawn upon to highlight the advantages of these chosen approaches.

DNA, a relatively stable polymer, consists of two chains of polynucleotides (double stranded: dsDNA) formed by antiparallel nucleotide. Each nucleotide has a nitrogeneous base (purine or pyrimidine), a pentose sugar and one phosphate group. Guanosine, adenosine, thymidine and cytidine 5’-monophosphate are monomeric units in DNA. As subunits of nucleic acids, they carry genetic information but also serve a diverse set of important functions in cells as primary carriers of chemical energy in cells, structural components of many enzyme cofactors and cellular second messengers. The cellular genetic information is encoded by the purine bases (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (cytosine and thymine) as a function of the consecutive order in the chain. Damage to DNA in the cells, after covalent or non-covalent interactions with chemical agents occurring in the environment, frequently results in mutations that may lead to hereditary diseases, aging and cancer development. DNA-binding molecules are classified into the following groups: (i) electrostatic interactions that are usually unspecific and consist of binding along the exterior of the dsDNA helix, (ii) intercalating molecules that can insert between adjacent base pairs, and (iii) groove binders which can bind to the groove of DNA. Therefore, it is significant and required to have analytical methods for evaluating the DNA-substances interactions and for a fast and sensitive detection of the DNA damage. The aim of this Special Issue is to combine original research articles and mini-reviews concerning the currently analytical methods used for monitoring interactions of toxic substances, such as drugs, metals, pesticides, dyes, aromatic amines, dioxins, etc., with DNA and for identifying possible type of damage to nucleic acid.

Electroanalytical techniques have been successfully employed in a wide number of fields, including environmental monitoring, drug and biomedical analysis, offering advantages in sensitivity, economics and are readily amenable to miniaturization. The coupling of electrochemical transducers with biological components has allowed for the development of the highly commercially successful glucose biosensor, lunching great interest into the development of this approach for other important analytes. Recent advances in micro and nanotechnology have lead to important analytical advantages and have been the focus of an increasing number of reports. Potentiometric devices, such as ion-selective electrodes, are a commonly employed technique in most laboratories, used for determination of many biologically and environmental important analytes and are growing area of research. Techniques such as anodic stripping voltammetry coupled to advanced waveforms such as differential pulse and square wave have been shown to be some of the most sensitive analytical techniques available for the determination of metal ions.

The aim of this special issue is highlight the scope and advances that are currently being made in the field of electroanalytical chemistry. This special issue focuses on state-of-the-art electrochemical applications in biomedical, industrial, pharmaceutical and environmental analysis. It will provide a forum for publication of full-length research papers and short reviews which improve our understanding of electrochemical techniques applied to analytical chemistry.