From leaf to lab-on-cloth: Spatial DNA nanorobotics and 2D graphyne synergy enable ultra-precise electrochemical tracking of sugarcane pokkah boeng disease

Qingnian Wu ¹, Yu Ya ², Chenchen Jin ¹

⁰Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Laboratory of Optic-electric Chemo/Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Engineering Research Center of Low-carbon and High-quality Utilization of Forest Biomass, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning, 530006, China.

Biosensors & Bioelectronics +

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May 8, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

A novel "Lab-on-Cloth" biosensor uses DNA nanorobotics and graphyne for ultra-sensitive detection of sugarcane pokkah boeng disease. This breakthrough offers rapid, field-deployable diagnostics for improved crop management and bioenergy production.

Area Of Science

Agricultural Science
Nanotechnology
Biosensor Technology

Background

Sugarcane is a vital crop for agriculture and bioenergy, threatened by pokkah boeng disease.
Existing diagnostic methods lack field applicability, sensitivity, and speed for early detection.

Purpose Of The Study

To develop an ultra-precise, field-deployable electrochemical biosensor for early detection of sugarcane pokkah boeng disease.
To integrate DNA nanorobotics and 2D graphyne for enhanced pathogen detection.

Main Methods

Fabrication of a
Lab-on-Cloth
biosensor using sulfur-doped graphyne (S-GDY) nanoarrays on carbon cloth.
Utilized a spatially confined DNA Walker system for programmable strand displacement cascades.
Implemented a dual-signal readout strategy for self-verifying detection accuracy.

Main Results

Achieved an ultra-low limit of detection (16.6 aM) with a wide dynamic range (0.1 fM–10 nM).
Demonstrated superior performance compared to quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in field tests.
The biosensor exhibited cost-effectiveness and operational simplicity.

Conclusions

The DNA nanorobotics-graphyne synergy establishes a new paradigm for plant disease monitoring.
This technology offers real-time phyto-diagnostic capabilities for precision agriculture.
The biosensor is a transformative tool for sustainable bioenergy production and crop management.

Keywords:

Dual strand displacement amplification Dual-signal readout S-GDY Spatial DNA nanorobotics Sugarcane pokkah boeng disease