Bioelectrochemistry as a Field of Analysis: Historical Aspects and Current Status.

The review considers the historical aspects of the formation and development of bioelectrochemistry and some issues of the analytical application of electrochemical methods (mainly voltammetry and related methods) to studies of the properties of biologically active compounds and biopolymers in the context of the interests of biochemistry and medicine. The importance of taking into account processes on the surface of electrodes generating an analytical signal is noted. The review deals with the principles of direct electrochemical analysis of biopolymers (proteins and nucleic acids) based on the electroactivity of amino acid residues, redox active sites, and nucleic base residues on unmodified electrodes. The electrochemical behavior of proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, and single- and double-stranded nucleic acid molecules is discussed from the point of view of their spatial structures. Emphasis is placed on directions in the development of bioelectrochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]