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Programmable DNA/Polyacrylamide Network-Grafted Broadband Plasmonic Liquid Metal Nanoparticles for Ultrafast
Qingyu Gu1, Yu Chen1, Yaxing Zhang1
1Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, P. R. China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|June 12, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a rapid molecular diagnostic platform using liquid metal nanoparticles (LM NPs) for ultrafast, real-time detection. The technology achieves nucleic acid target identification in under 7 minutes, paving the way for advanced biosensing.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Gallium-based liquid metals (LMs) offer unique properties for smart soft composites.
- Their reactive surfaces are advantageous for biosensing and diagnostics.
- Existing diagnostic platforms often lack speed and portability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an ultrafast, real-time molecular diagnostic platform.
- To utilize gallium-based liquid metal nanoparticles (LM NPs) for enhanced diagnostics.
- To create a portable and low-cost diagnostic device.
Main Methods:
- Grafting DNA/polyacrylamide networks onto LM NPs via surface-initiated polymerization.
- Employing LM NPs as photothermal agents for stable temperature cycling.
- Integrating photothermal processes with PCR-based amplification for nucleic acid detection.
Main Results:
- Developed core-shell nanocomposites with enhanced photothermal stability.
- Achieved real-time nucleic acid target detection within 6.5 minutes.
- Demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for viral and bacterial targets.
- Platform operates with portable LED devices, enabling low-cost point-of-care testing (POCT).
Conclusions:
- The developed platform offers a significant advancement in molecular diagnostics.
- LM NP-based diagnostics are efficient, rapid, and sensitive.
- The technology holds potential for developing low-cost, portable POCT devices for disease diagnosis.
