Tumor biomarker‐based theranostics have achieved broad interest and success in recent years. However, single biomarker‐based recognition can cause false‐positive feedback, including the on‐target off‐tumor phenomenon, in the absence of tumor‐specific antigen. Multibiomarker‐based recognition molecules often elicit nonspecific and undesired internalization when they bind to “bystander” cells. We report a universal DNA tetrahedral scaffold (DTS) that anchors on the cell membrane to load multiple aptamers and therapeutics for precise and effective theranostics. This DNA logic‐gated nanorobot (DLGN) not only facilitates precise discrimination among five cell lines, but also triggers synergistic killing of effector aptamer‐tethered synergistic drugs (EASDs) to target cancer cells. Logic‐gated recognition integrated into aptamer‐functionalized molecular machines will prompt fast tumor profiling, in situ capture and isolation, and safe delivery of precise medicine.
Tumor microenvironment (TME)-responsive nanodevices are essential tools for cancer imaging and therapy. Exploiting the advantages of molecular engineering, nanodevices are springing up for biomedical applications. In order to reach targeted...
Natural cells (NCs) can automatically and continuously respond to fluctuant external information and distinguish meaningful stimuli from weak noise depending on their powerful genetic and protein networks. We herein report a network topology–directed design of dynamic molecular processing system (DMPS) as a molecular central processing unit that powers an artificial cell (AC) able to process fluctuant information in its immediate environment similar to NCs. By constructing a mixed cell community, ACs and NCs have synchronous response to fluctuant extracellular stimuli under physiological condition and in a blood vessel–mimic circulation system. We also show that fluctuant bioinformation released by NCs can be received and processed by ACs. The molecular design of DMPS-powered AC is expected to allow a profound understanding of biological systems, advance the construction of intelligent molecular systems, and promote more elegant bioengineering applications.
DNA-based nanostructures allow for complex self-assembly with nanometer precision through the specificity of Watson−Crick base pairing, but network behavior-directed control of the kinetic process is less studied. Here we show how the DNA reaction network (DRN), which has emerged as a reliable and programmable way to implement artificial network dynamics, can be built as the control center of programmable nanostructures, allowing spatiotemporal control over the dynamic behavior of DNA nanotubes. We chose a common network motif in biological control systems, the feed-forward loop, as the model network and demonstrated that dynamic behaviors, such as self-tuning control and multilayer hierarchical assembly, could be programmed by constructing an inhibition network and an excitation network, separately, in buffer solution and inside protocells.
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