As the cultivation scale of genetically modified (GM) crops strongly increases, a convenient DNA assay is highly demanded in resource-limited areas. A label-free electrochemical impedance (EI) genosensor using gold carbon dots (GCDs) was developed with easy-to-use portable device. GCDs were used to modify screen-printed carbon electrode and immobilize capture probes by conducting a simple protocol. After the amplification products anchored on the sensor surface via hybridization reactions, the EI signal increased due to the formation of biocomplex hampering the interfacial electron transfer. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed genosensor coupled with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) could detect maize Ruifeng12-5 in a linear range of 0.10–5.0% with a detection limit of 0.10%. In addition, combined with a one-step extraction and RPA amplification, the proposed sensor device can be applied in resource-limited laboratories without expensive instruments or professionals. Therefore, the developed method provides an easy-to-use and sensitive platform for GM organism detection.

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