DNA-Assisted Separation of Nanoparticles

DNA, as natural polymers, not only serves as the genetic material but also shows great potential as assistants for efficient and targeted nanoparticle separation. This is due to its high programmability, excellent biocompatibility, and stability for effectively binding with various types of nanoparticles or bioparticles, while modifying physical properties of target particles such as charge, mass and size. Researchers have achieved remarkable efficiency in separating nanoparticles by precisely designing DNA sequences and their interactions with target particles. This achievement primarily relies on the differences in physical properties of nanoparticles or medium modulated by DNA. In this minireview, diverse strategies are overviewed using DNA to assist nanoparticles separation, and the applications of these separation strategies are highlighted. Finally, the current challenges and prospects in DNA-assisted nanoparticles separation are discussed.