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Updated: May 3, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancements in DNA Nanosensors – Addressing Sensitivity and Selectivity Challenges in Molecular Detection
Published on: February 9, 2024
Functional DNA nanomaterials for sensing and imaging in living cells
Seyed-Fakhreddin Torabi1, Yi Lu2
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States.
Abstract:
Recent developments in integrating high selectivity of functional DNA, such as DNAzymes and aptamers, with efficient DNA delivery into cells by gold nanoparticles or superior near-infrared optical properties of upconversion nanoparticles are reviewed. Their applications in sensing and imaging small organic metabolites, toxins, metal ions, pH, DNA, RNA, proteins, and pathogens are summarized. The advantages and future directions of these functional DNA materials are discussed.

