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Updated: Oct 15, 2025
Automated Robotic Liquid Handling Assembly of Modular DNA Devices
Published on: December 1, 2017
Multitarget Reaction Programmable Automatic Diagnosis and Treatment Logic Device
Zhiheng Cai1, Yingqiang Fu2, Zhili Qiu1
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Accurate diagnosis and precise and effective treatment are currently the two magic weapons for dealing with cancer. However, a single marker is often associated with multiple cellular events, which is not conducive to accurate diagnosis, and overly mild treatment methods often make the treatment effect unsatisfactory. In this paper, we construct a Au/Pd octopus nanoparticle-DNA nanomachine (Au/Pd ONP-DNA nanomachine) as a fully automatic diagnosis and treatment logic system. In this system, multiple DNA components are targeting detection units, Au/Pd ONPs act as carriers, and Au/Pd ONPs with an 808 nm laser is the treatment unit. In order to achieve the purpose of precise treatment, we will detect two secondary markers under the premise of detecting one major tumor marker. When all of the designated targets are detected (the logic system input is (1, 1, 1), and the output is (1, 1)), the 808 nm laser can be programmed to automatically radiate tumors and perform photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy. In vivo and in vitro experiments show that this logic system not only can accurately identify tumor cells but also has considerable therapeutic effects.
Insights
This study introduces a novel Au/Pd octopus nanoparticle-DNA nanomachine for automatic cancer diagnosis and treatment. This system accurately identifies tumor cells and delivers effective photothermal and photodynamic therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Accurate cancer diagnosis and effective treatment remain critical challenges.
- Single biomarkers limit diagnostic precision, while mild treatments yield unsatisfactory outcomes.
- Developing integrated diagnostic and therapeutic systems is essential for improved cancer care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct an autonomous Au/Pd octopus nanoparticle-DNA nanomachine for precise cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- To develop a logic system capable of detecting multiple tumor markers for targeted therapy.
- To evaluate the efficacy of the nanomachine in performing photothermal and photodynamic therapy.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a Au/Pd octopus nanoparticle-DNA nanomachine integrating detection and treatment units.
- Design of a DNA-based logic system for multi-marker detection (one major, two secondary).
- Application of an 808 nm laser for combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy upon successful target identification.
Main Results:
- The Au/Pd ONP-DNA nanomachine demonstrated accurate identification of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.
- The integrated logic system successfully triggered therapeutic actions only when all designated tumor markers were detected.
- The nanomachine exhibited considerable therapeutic effects through combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy.
Conclusions:
- The developed Au/Pd ONP-DNA nanomachine serves as a fully automatic diagnosis and treatment logic system for cancer.
- This multi-marker detection approach enhances diagnostic accuracy and enables precise, effective cancer therapy.
- The nanomachine holds significant potential for advancing precision medicine in oncology.
