Probe computing model based on small molecular switch

Abstract

Background: DNA is a promising candidate for the construction of biological devices due to its unique properties, including structural simplicity, convenient synthesis, high flexibility, and predictable behavior. And DNA has been widely used to construct the advanced logic devices. Results: Herein, a molecular probe apparatus was constructed based on DNA molecular computing to perform fluorescent quenching and fluorescent signal recovery, with an ' ON/OFF' switching function. In this study, firstly, we program the streptavidin-mediated fluorescent quenching apparatus based on short-distance strand migration. The variation of fluorescent signal is acted as output. Then DNAzyme as a switching controller was involved to regulate the fluorescent signal increase. Finally, on this base, a cascade DNA logic gate consists of two logic AND operations was developed to enrich probe machine. Conclusion: The designed probe computing model can be implemented with readout of fluorescence intensity, and exhibits great potential applications in the field of bioimaging as well as disease diagnosis.