DNA and Nanomaterials: A Functional Combination for DNA Sensing

Abstract

Recent decades have experienced tough situations due to the lack of reliable diagnostic facilities. The most recent cases occurred during the pandemic, where researchers observed the lack of diagnostic facilities with precision. Microorganisms and viral disease's ability to escape diagnosis has been a global challenge. DNA always has been a unique moiety with a strong and precise base-paired structure. DNA in human and foreign particles makes identification possible through base pairing. Since then, researchers have focused heavily on designing diagnostic assays targeting DNA in particular. Moreover, DNA nanotechnology has contributed vastly to designing composite nanomaterials by combining DNA/nucleic acids with functional nanomaterials and inorganic nanoparticles exploiting their physicochemical properties. These nanomaterials often exhibit unique or enhanced properties due to the synergistic activity of the many components. The capabilities of DNA and additional nanomaterials have shown the combination of robust and advanced tailoring of biosensors. Preceding findings state that the conventional strategies have exhibited certain limitations such as a low range of target detection, less biodegradability, subordinate half-life, and high susceptibility to microenvironments; however, a DNA−nanomaterial-based biosensor has overcome these limitations meaningfully. Additionally, the unique properties of nucleic acids have been studied extensively due to their high signal conduction abilities. Here, we review recent studies on DNA−nanomaterial-based biosensors, their mechanism of action, and improved/updated strategies in vivo and in situ. Furthermore, this review highlights the recent methodologies on DNA utilization to exploit the interfacial properties of nanomaterials in DNA sensing. Lastly, the review concludes with the limitations/challenges and future directions.

DNA functionalized programmable hybrid biomaterials for targeted multiplexed applications

“…Today, a range of multi-stimuli-responsive DNA-based hybrid biomaterials that can be used for different biological applications have been developed. 94–97 For example, the addition of an azobenzene moiety can render the DNA hydrogels photoresponsive, and simultaneously, the incorporation of aptamers can make the hybrid system responsive to multiple targeted stimuli through aptamer recognition. 98–101 These modifications add to the ability of DNA-based materials to respond to various stimuli, which has opened doors for the design and fabrication of smart stimuli-responsive materials that can offer excellent clinical and therapeutic properties.…”