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Updated: Apr 30, 2026
Biofunctionalization of Magnetic Nanomaterials
Published on: July 16, 2020
Functional DNA-containing nanomaterials: cellular applications in biosensing, imaging, and targeted therapy
Hao Liang1, Xiao-Bing Zhang, Yifan Lv
1Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Engineering for Theranostics, Hunan University , Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.
Functional DNA nanomaterials offer improved cellular uptake and stability for biosensing and imaging applications. These DNA-nanomaterial complexes show promise for advanced nanotechnology and bioanalysis, overcoming limitations of traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
Background:
- Functional DNA, including DNAzymes and aptamers, has applications in sensing, imaging, and therapeutics.
- Challenges exist in cellular uptake and in vivo applications of functional DNA due to reliance on cationic transfection reagents.
- Nanomaterials offer potential solutions as carriers and assistants for functional DNA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on functional DNA-containing nanomaterials and their applications.
- To highlight DNA/nanomaterial complexes (gold nanoparticles, graphene oxides, aptamer-micelles) as models.
- To illustrate the potential of these complexes in biosensing, imaging, and medical diagnostics.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing nanomaterials (metallic, carbon, silica, magnetic) as carriers for functional DNA.
- Developing DNA/nanomaterial complexes with high DNA density for enhanced affinity and stability.
- Investigating DNA self-assembled nanomaterials for improved biocompatibility and cellular uptake.
Main Results:
- DNA-nanomaterial complexes demonstrate enhanced cellular uptake compared to free DNA.
- High DNA density on nanomaterials improves target affinity and prevents DNA degradation.
- Gold nanoparticles and graphene oxides act as efficient signal reporters and quenchers for sensitive detection.
- DNA self-assembled nanomaterials exhibit lower cytotoxicity and enhanced cellular uptake.
Conclusions:
- Functional DNA-nanomaterial complexes offer significant advantages for biosensing, imaging, and medical diagnostics.
- Nanomaterials enhance the stability, delivery, and signal transduction of functional DNA.
- Future development of DNA bases and molecular assembly approaches will lead to diverse and advanced functional DNA-based applications.
