Putting DNA nanotechnology to work: the art of DNA origami and DNA-only cascades paving the way towards innovative concepts in biosensing

The ability to specifically detect extremely low concentrations of targets, preferably in a reproducible and fast manner, is crucial for the detection and therapy of many diseases. These major challenges in the biosensing field in part originate from incomplete understanding of:

1. the interaction between target and receptor molecules
2. how the signal is triggered

In this project, we hypothesize that by exploring multiple DNA technologies (DNA origami, nucleic acid (NA)-based catalysis and aptamers), we can design a ground-breaking biosensing concept for sensitive and specific detection of a broad range of targets. The DNA origami structures will be decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and studied as a novel tool to nanostructure the biosensor surface, favouring thus interaction between target and biorecognition element while reducing steric hindrance and unspecific binding. Exploring innovative concepts in NA-based catalysis, we aim to study fast signal amplification strategies that are only initiated by the aptamer-target recognition, offering the desired biosensing specificity. The single-step bioassay will be studied on an in-house developed FO-SPR platform, which is capable of monitoring binding events and integrating signal amplification strategies with AuNPs. We believe that the results of this project will be of major interest to both scientists and clinicians looking for new molecular insights and ultrasensitive detection of a broad range of targets.