Nucleic acids are important biomarkers related to diseases of cancer, infectious, and genetic disorders. As a kind of indicator, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can generate colored signals from red to blue, which enables convenient signal readout. Based on the inherent optical properties, AuNPs are frequently used to fabricate colorimetric biosensors. Crosslinking colorimetry of polyvalent DNA-functionalized AuNPs and salt-induced colorimetry of unmodified AuNPs are two basic AuNPs-based colorimetric schemes. In order to improve such sensors sensitivity or add some specific functions, some amplification reactions or functionalized nanomaterials need to be introduced. Therefore, in this review, colorimetric biosensors with different functions and features are discussed, together with their advantages and limitations. By digging into the profound relationship between the various methods and strategies in this field, this review aims to provide a comprehensive reference outlining the general design strategies for constructing AuNPs-based nucleic acid colorimetric biosensors.

核酸是与癌症，传染病和遗传疾病有关的重要生物标志物。作为一种指示剂，金纳米颗粒（AuNP）可以生成从红色到蓝色的彩色信号，从而可以方便地读取信号。基于固有的光学特性，AuNP通常用于制造比色生物传感器。多价DNA功能化AuNP的交联比色法和未修饰AuNP的盐诱导比色法是两种基于AuNP的基本比色方案。为了提高这种传感器的灵敏度或添加某些特定功能，需要引入一些扩增反应或功能化的纳米材料。因此，在这篇综述中，讨论了具有不同功能和特征的比色生物传感器，以及它们的优点和局限性。