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Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis for the Quantification and Size Determination of Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: March 28, 2021
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DNA nanotechnology-enabled bioanalysis of extracellular vesicles
1Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China. pengfei.wang@sjtu.edu.cn.
Nanoscale Horizons
|September 11, 2025
Summary
DNA nanotechnology offers advanced methods for detecting biomarkers in extracellular vesicles (EVs) for liquid biopsy. This review covers DNA-based strategies for analyzing EV proteins and nucleic acids, aiding disease diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial biomarkers for liquid biopsy due to their cargo of proteins and nucleic acids.
- DNA nanotechnology provides programmable, specific, and sensitive tools for analyzing these EV-associated molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in DNA nanotechnology-based analytical methods for detecting EV-associated proteins and nucleic acids.
- To discuss the principles, applications, and performance of various DNA-based strategies.
Main Methods:
- Aptamer-based recognition for target binding.
- Enzyme-free and enzyme-catalyzed amplification circuits (e.g., HCR, CHA, RCA, CRISPR-Cas).
- Utilization of DNA nanostructures for signal amplification.
Main Results:
- Detailed review of diverse DNA nanotechnology strategies for EV biomarker detection.
- Exploration of integrated multiplexed detection platforms.
- Summary of key techniques including aptamers, HCR, CHA, RCA, and CRISPR-Cas.
Conclusions:
- DNA nanotechnology presents a powerful toolkit for sensitive and specific detection of EV biomarkers.
- Challenges remain in clinical translation, but future perspectives are promising for improved diagnostics.
