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Updated: May 9, 2026

Designing a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami
Published on: July 8, 2013
Reversible switches of DNA nanostructures between "Closed" and "Open" states and their biosensing applications
Qing-Lin Sheng1, Rui-Xiao Liu, Jian-Bin Zheng
1Institute of Analytical Science/Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China.
Abstract:
A novel and versatile biosensing platform based on the structural conversion of 3D DNA nanostructures from ETDNA (Equilateral Triangle) to TPFDNA (Triangular Pyramid Frustum) was proposed for the first time. The inputs of aptamers and their relative targets made the DNA structure change from the "Open" to the "Closed" state, leading to the faradaic impedance changes as the output signals. The specific properties of excellent stability and specific rigid structure of 3D DNA nanostructures made the biosensor function as a regenerable, reusable and intelligent platform. The sensor exhibited excellent selectivity for IFN-γ detection with a wide linear range of 1.0 × 10(-9) to 2.0 × 10(-6) M and a low detection limit of 5.2 × 10(-10) M. The distinctive features of DNA nanostructures make them potentially advantageous for a broad range of biosensing, bionanoelectronics, and therapeutic applications.
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