Group IV nanodots (NDs) have gathered considerable attention not only for their easy and low cost of synthesis, large surface area, nice photostability, excellent biocompatibility but for their special nanozyme properties. In this review, group IV NDs including carbon (C), silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) NDs, are summarized and discussed, with an emphasis on biosensing application. The rational design of the group IV NDs based nanoplatforms to detect various biomarkers via colorimetric, fluorescence, electrochemical, electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) methods for various biomarkers are thoroughly reviewed. The structure-properties relationship is stated, and some typical detection mechanism also emphasized. The current limitations and future directions of these materials are presented with new insights into the remaining challenges and trends of group IV ND research. It hopefully provides researchers with a distinct perspective on the synthesis of functional group IV NDs with specific properties and construction of biomarker sensors with high selectivity and sensitivity.

第四族纳米点（NDs）不仅因其合成容易，成本低，表面积大，光稳定性好，生物相容性好，而且因其特殊的纳米酶特性而受到广泛关注。在这篇综述中，归纳和讨论了包括碳（C），硅（Si）和锗（Ge）NDs在内的第IV组NDs，重点是生物传感应用。全面审查了基于IV ND族的纳米平台通过比色，荧光，电化学，电致发光（ECL）和光电化学（PEC）方法检测各种生物标记物的各种生物标记物的合理设计。陈述了结构-性质关系，并强调了一些典型的检测机制。这些材料的当前局限性和未来发展方向将为IV组ND研究的剩余挑战和趋势提供新见解。它有望为研究人员提供有关具有特定特性的功能性IV组ND的合成以及具有高选择性和灵敏度的生物标志物传感器的构建的独特见解。