3-Input AND Molecular Logic Gate with Enhanced Fluorescence Output: The Key Atom for the Accurate Prediction of the Spectra

The development of artificial receptors for sensing and recognition of species, as well as for advanced logic functions, is a significant challenge in the field of molecular information technology. Here, we study theoretically, via DFT/TD-DFT calculations, the photophysical properties of a 3-input AND molecular logic gate which presents an enhanced fluorescence spectrum. It was found that the geometry conformation at an N atom of the piperazine group is the key factor for the correct calculation of the absorption spectra of the calculated structures. Its geometry is between tetrahedral and planar, while changes in the corresponding CNCC dihedral angle of about 10 degrees can cause significant shifts of the main peak of the absorption spectra up to 100 nm. Moreover, the unusually enhanced fluorescence of a molecular logic gate (MLG) is explained. Finally, we conclude that molecular systems having N atoms, whose geometry is between planar and tetrahedral, can be ideal molecules as sensors and molecular logic gates. Our calculated absorption and emission spectra are in excellent agreement with available experimental data.

Coumarin 6H-fused fluorescent probe for highly sensitive detection of coralyne using oligonucleotide-modified silver nanoparticles

In this study, a novel, rapid, and sensitive fluorescence sensing platform was developed for the detection of coralyne (COR) by the conjugation of coumarin 6H (C6H) fluorescent dye with oligonucleotide-modified silver nanoparticles [(dT)₃₂-AgNPs]. In the presence of COR, a remarkable and rapid decrease in the fluorescence signal of the probe with a quenching efficiency of around 62% was observed. The quenching response of the system towards COR was possibly due to the displacement of thymidine-rich deoxyoligonucleotides by COR on the surface of AgNPs. The complementary experiments with an adenine-rich single strand as well as with two different secondary structures (i.e., duplex and triplex) revealed a favorable sequence specificity of the sensing platform. The influence of key parameters including the incubation time and temperature was evaluated and optimized to achieve the highest performance. The linear range of 10-183 nM with a correlation coefficient of R = 0.9982 and a limit of detection of 5.24 nM were obtained under the optimized conditions. The selectivity of the proposed probe towards COR was revealed by the evaluation of its response to other small molecules that have molecular structures similar to COR. Finally, the successful applicability of the system was shown with the obtained average recoveries in the range of 87.28-104.52% in human urine samples.

A DNAzyme-mediated logic gate system based on Ag(I)-cysteine

Ag+ plays an important role in DNA mismatch technology due to its affinity for cytosine in DNA. This article introduces a strategy to control the enzyme digesting reaction by utilizing the characteristics of C-Ag+-C mismatches, effectively regulating and controlling the activity of the E6 DNAzyme via changing the structure of its conservative domain. We designed a series of basic logic gates, a "Yes" Gate, an "Or" Gate and an "Inhibit" Gate. Cysteine (Cys) can combine with Ag+, reducing the concentration of Ag+ in solution, thus restraining the C-Ag+-C mismatch effect. Based on this principle, we regard Cys as a threshold, and designed a type of "Inhibit" Gate based on input quantity by changing the concentration of Ag+, thus generating different statues of logic output. On this basis, the E6 DNAzyme and Ag10c DNAzyme can be integrated into new systems with the function of logic operation circuit based on the control of Ag+ concentration in solution. This system could represent three different states of logical expression by controlling the quantity of Ag+ and Cys.

A universal split spinach aptamer (USSA) for nucleic acid analysis and DNA computation

We demonstrate how a single universal spinach aptamer (USSA) probe can be used to detect multiple (potentially any) nucleic acid sequences. USSA can be used for cost-efficient and highly selective analysis of even folded DNA and RNA analytes, as well as for the readout of outputs of DNA logic circuits.

Distance-dependent magnetic resonance tuning as a versatile MRI sensing platform for biological targets

Nanoscale distance-dependent phenomena, such as Förster resonance energy transfer, are important interactions for use in sensing and imaging, but their versatility for bioimaging can be limited by undesirable photon interactions with the surrounding biological matrix, especially in in vivo systems. Here, we report a new type of magnetism-based nanoscale distance-dependent phenomenon that can quantitatively and reversibly sense and image intra-/intermolecular interactions of biologically important targets. We introduce distance-dependent magnetic resonance tuning (MRET), which occurs between a paramagnetic 'enhancer' and a superparamagnetic 'quencher', where the T₁ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal is tuned ON or OFF depending on the separation distance between the quencher and the enhancer. With MRET, we demonstrate the principle of an MRI-based ruler for nanometre-scale distance measurement and the successful detection of both molecular interactions (for example, cleavage, binding, folding and unfolding) and biological targets in in vitro and in vivo systems. MRET can serve as a novel sensing principle to augment the exploration of a wide range of biological systems.

Sensitive detection for coralyne and mercury ions based on homo-A/T DNA by exonuclease signal amplification

Based on specific homo-A/T DNA binding properties, a strategy for coralyne and mercury ions detection was realised by exonuclease-aided signal amplification. Coralyne could specifically bind homo-A DNA and protect it from the hydrolysis of exonuclease I. The coralyne-protected DNA was subsequently used as a trigger strand to hydrolyze DNA2 in exonuclease-aided signal amplification process. Thiazole orange was used to quantify the remainder DNA2. Under the optimal condition, the fluorescence intensity was linearly proportional to the concentration of coralyne in the range of 0.2-100 nM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.31 nM, which presented the lowest LOD for coralyne among all reported. With homo-T and Hg(2+) taking the place of homo-A DNA and coralyne, respectively, the system could also be used for Hg(2+) detection. The experiments in real samples also showed good results. This method was label-free, low-cost, easy-operating and highly repeatable for the detection of coralyne and mercury ions. It could also be extended to detect various analytes, such as other metal ions, proteins and small molecules by using appropriate aptamers.

Divide and control: split design of multi-input DNA logic gates

Logic gates made of DNA have received significant attention as biocompatible building blocks for molecular circuits. The majority of DNA logic gates, however, are controlled by the minimum number of inputs: one, two or three. Here we report a strategy to design a multi-input logic gate by splitting a DNA construct.