Designer DNA architecture offers precise and multivalent spatial pattern-recognition for viral sensing and inhibition

A materials-science perspective on tackling COVID-19

“…Moreover, microfluidics can be introduced to rapidly mass-synthesize uniform magnetic particles 122 and to efficiently isolate viruses using magnetic-particle-based microfluidics 123 . In addition, DNA 124 or RNA nanostructures 125 that contain complementary oligonucleotides to virus DNA or RNA could be combined with microfluidics for virus isolation. Although current nasal swabs are effective in collecting virus samples, nasal swabs with a controlled porous architecture could be functionalized with materials that can capture viruses through multivalent interactions 119 , which would enable the collection of viruses even at very low concentrations.…”

“…In addition, DNA nanomaterials are non-toxic and stable. Therefore, DNA nanostructures with particular shapes, modified with virus-targeting aptamers, can be applied for virus detection and inhibition 124 . Owing to their customized spatial structure, such DNA nanostructures precisely match the viral surface, enabling efficient virus capture.…”

Insights from nanotechnology in COVID-19 treatment

“…By designing the DNA nanoarchitecture to have a specific star shape, the activity of the dengue virus can be inhibited through spatial pattern interaction. [ 60 ] Specifically, the nanoarchitecture was modified with ED3-targeting aptamers for recognizing ED3 clusters on the viral surface.…”

Breakthroughs in Medicinal Chemistry: New Targets and Mechanisms, New Drugs, New Hopes–6

“…In the search for drugs against the Dengue flavivirus, a new approach has been described by Kwon and collaborators [28], which is based on designer DNA nanostructures with some structural characteristics allowing the appropriate spacing and 3-D positioning of the binding sites. They produced a star-shaped DNA scaffold with molecular beacon-like motifs to expose aptamers that strongly recognized the envelope protein domain III clusters located at the viral surface.…”