A novel urchin-like In2O3-chitosan modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is for the first time prepared. The direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase (GOD) immobilized on the surface of modified GCE and biosensing are studied. The urchin-like In2O3 nanostructure-based matrix has large specific surface area and provides a favorable and biocompatible microenvironment for promoting the direct electron transfer between proteins and electrode surface. The properties of different modified electrode are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS), UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. The constructed glucose biosensor shows wide linear range (5.0 x 10(-6) to 1.3 x 10(-3) M), low detection limit (1.9 x 10(-6) M),a Michaelis-Menten constant of 0.37 mM. The proposed biosensor has good sensitivity, excellent selectivity, good reproducibility and stability. This urchin-like In2O3-chitosan matrix provides a new approach and efficient matrix for the direct electrochemistry of proteins and developing novel types of biosensors. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.