Partial collapse of DNA tetrahedron for miRNA assay with duplex-specific nuclease-assisted amplification

We establish a facile electrochemical approach for detecting miRNA. Programmable DNA tetrahedron is designed using thiol groups for electrode modification, the amino group for the localization of electrochemical species and a hairpin structure that responds to target miRNA. In addition, duplex-specific nuclease-assisted amplification helps improve the sensitivity of this biosensor. The target-initiated partial collapse of the DNA tetrahedron event integrates recognition, electrode immobilization, signal recruitment and amplification. By measuring the sharp silver stripping peak, the highly sensitive detection of miRNA is achieved, which also performs satisfactorily challenging biological samples. This method is featured with simple operation, high sensitivity and practical utility, exhibiting great application potential in clinical diagnosis.