Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025

DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation
Published on: December 29, 2021
Reprogrammable fluorescence logic sensing for biomolecules via RNA-like coenzyme A-based coordination polymer
Jiao Wang1, Qingqing Zhang2, Dandan Hu1
1State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, State Key Laboratory Base of Novel Functional Materials and Preparation Science, School of Materials Science & Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, PR China.
New coenzyme A (CoA)-based coordination polymers (CPs) function as sensitive biosensors for ascorbic acid, cysteine, and glutathione. These RNA-like CPs also enable the construction of advanced molecular logic gates for potential diagnostic applications.
Area of Science:
- Coordination chemistry
- Materials science
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Coordination polymers (CPs) offer versatile platforms for developing novel functional materials.
- Coenzyme A (CoA) presents unique chemical properties for constructing advanced CPs.
- Metal-ion interactions, including thiol-metal and aurophilic interactions, are crucial in CP formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize novel CoA-based CPs using gold(III) or silver(I) ions.
- To investigate the biosensing capabilities of these CPs for specific biomolecules.
- To explore the potential of these CPs in constructing molecular logic gates.
Main Methods:
- In situ generation of CoA-based CPs via reaction of thiols with Au(III) or Ag(I) ions.
- Utilizing SYBR Green II (SGII) for fluorescence-based detection mechanisms.
- Assessing CPs' structural changes upon interaction with biomolecules (ascorbic acid, cysteine, glutathione).
- Fabricating basic and configurable logic gates based on fluorescence switching.
Main Results:
- Synthesized CPs exhibit an RNA-like structure that initiates SGII fluorescence.
- Ascorbic acid, cysteine, and glutathione induce structural destruction of CPs, leading to fluorescence inhibition.
- Quantitative detection limits achieved: 7.2 nM for AA, 0.55 nM for Cys, and 0.48 nM for GSH.
- Demonstrated successful construction of various logic gates (YES, NOT, OR, AND, INHIBIT, NOR, OR-AND, OR-OR-INHIBIT).
Conclusions:
- CoA-based CPs are effective fluorescent biosensors for key biomolecules.
- The fluorescence on-off property facilitates the development of molecular logic gates.
- These CPs represent a promising new material for advanced molecular devices in diagnostics and biomedical research.

