From Static Scaffolds to Dynamic Highways: Spatially Ordered Nanotube Tracks Improve Pathway Control and Accelerate...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• DNA walkers are programmable molecular machines requiring precise tracks for optimal function.
• Existing DNA tracks often lack the structural order needed for high-performance walkers.
• Controlling walker movement and reaction kinetics is crucial for biosensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rigid, highly ordered DNA nanotube-based track (H-DNT) for DNA walkers.
• To investigate the impact of H-DNT on walker performance, including controllability and kinetics.
• To demonstrate the utility of H-DNT in an ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensing platform.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of H-DNTs using self-assembled single-stranded DNA tiles with periodic 7 nm anchoring sites.
• Comparative analysis of H-DNTs against conventional DNA tracks (double-stranded and nanosheet).
• Integration of H-DNTs into an ECL biosensing platform for microRNA-221 detection.

Main Results:

• H-DNTs demonstrated significantly improved path controllability and accelerated reaction kinetics compared to conventional tracks.
• Equilibrium time for walker reactions was reduced to 30 minutes using H-DNTs.
• The H-DNT-based ECL platform achieved ultrasensitive detection of microRNA-221 down to 2.42 aM with excellent selectivity and stability.

Conclusions:

• The H-DNT system offers a robust and generalizable platform for high-performance DNA walker systems.
• This nanodevice design enhances walker motility and signal amplification efficiency.
• The developed platform holds promise for rapid and sensitive detection of tumor biomarkers.