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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation
Published on: December 29, 2021
Intracellular logic computing with DNA tetrahedron processors enables precision cancer theranostics
Yang Gao1, Yun Wang1, Yunlong Qin2
1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
None:
The integration of molecular computation with nanomedicine holds transformative potential for precision cancer theranostics. However, achieving an intelligent, multi-input decision-making process within living cells remains a formidable challenge because of the complexity of intracellular signaling networks. Here, we present a set of DNA tetrahedron logic processors that enable smart intracellular computing through a programmable three-input architecture capable of executing seven Boolean operations-OR, AND, NOR, NAND, XOR, majority (MAJ), and OR-AND-in response to endogenous miRNA signals. Building upon the cell-internalizable tetrahedral framework nucleic acid, this processor functions as an autonomous sense-and-treat module: it decodes combinatorial biomarker states and conditionally releases therapeutic siRNA only when a predefined logical condition is met. As a proof of concept, in precision oncology, we engineered a MAJ-gated nanoplatform (siR@MAJ) that selectively silences survivin in MCF-7 breast cancer cells that exhibit a specific tri-miRNA signature while sparing other cell types. This approach has achieved potent tumor suppression both in vitro and in vivo with high specificity and minimal off-target effects. By integrating multi-target detection into a single logic circuit, this processor significantly improves the discriminative capability within complex biological environments. Our work establishes a foundational platform for intelligent intracellular diagnostics and therapy, paving the way toward adaptive, logic-driven nanomedicine.
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