This technology integrates aptamers into DNA nanoswitches, enabling sensitive detection of a wide range of biomolecules—including proteins and small molecules—for use in diagnostics, research, and biosensing applications.
Background: Molecular detection technologies are foundational in fields such as diagnostics, biomedical research, and environmental monitoring. Traditionally, these technologies have relied on antibodies or nucleic acid hybridization for target recognition, each with its own strengths and limitations. DNA nanoswitches, which are programmable DNA structures that undergo conformational changes in response to specific molecular interactions, have emerged as a promising platform for sensitive and specific detection, especially for nucleic acids. However, the growing demand for rapid, multiplexed, and low-cost detection of a broader array of biomolecules, including proteins and small molecules, has highlighted the need for more versatile sensing platforms. Expanding the molecular recognition capabilities of DNA nanoswitches is therefore a critical step toward meeting the requirements of next-generation diagnostics and analytical tools. Current approaches to broadening the detection range of DNA nanoswitches face significant challenges. While aptamers—short nucleic acid sequences that can bind diverse targets—offer a potential solution, their integration into nanoswitch platforms is not straightforward. Aptamers rely on precise three-dimensional folding to maintain their binding activity, but standard nanoswitch operation can disrupt this structure, rendering the aptamers inactive and compromising detection sensitivity and specificity. Existing methods often lack the design flexibility or operational protocols necessary to preserve aptamer function within the nanoswitch context, limiting their utility for protein or small molecule detection. As a result, there remains a substantial gap in the development of robust, user-friendly platforms capable of reliably detecting a wide variety of analytes beyond nucleic acids.
Technology Overview: This technology enhances DNA nanoswitches by integrating aptamers—specialized nucleic acid sequences that bind specific proteins or small molecules—into their design, thereby expanding the nanoswitches’ molecular sensing capabilities. DNA nanoswitches are programmable structures that undergo conformational changes in response to target molecules, and the incorporation of aptamers allows them to detect a broader array of analytes beyond nucleic acids. The platform features a carefully engineered nanoswitch architecture that accommodates aptamer sequences while maintaining their necessary three-dimensional folding, which is essential for aptamer function. The methodology ensures that aptamers remain active during operation, enabling sensitive and specific detection of targets. This approach opens new possibilities for diagnostic assays, research tools, and biosensors across clinical, environmental, and food safety applications. What differentiates this technology is its unique integration of aptamers into DNA nanoswitches without compromising aptamer activity—a non-trivial challenge due to the structural requirements of aptamer folding. Unlike traditional DNA nanoswitches limited to nucleic acid targets, this solution leverages the broad target range of aptamers, enabling the detection of diverse biomolecules, including proteins and small molecules. The innovation lies in both the nanoswitch design and the operational protocol that preserves aptamer structure and function, ensuring reliable performance. This expanded detection capability positions the platform as a versatile, user-centric tool for molecular diagnostics and biosensing, offering significant advantages over existing systems that lack such flexibility and specificity.
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Advantages: • Expanded molecular sensing capabilities to detect diverse analytes including proteins and small molecules • Integration of aptamers into DNA nanoswitches preserves aptamer folding and activity for reliable detection • Enables sensitive and specific detection of targets. • Versatile platform suitable for diagnostic assays, research tools, and biosensors • Applicable in clinical, environmental, and food safety monitoring contexts • Non-reliant on existing intellectual property, facilitating development and commercialization • Programmable and adaptable design for broad molecular recognition
Applications: • Clinical diagnostic protein assays • Point-of-care molecular detection • Environmental biosensor monitoring • Food safety contaminant detection • Research molecular biology tools
Intellectual Property Summary: Patent application filed
Stage of Development: TRL 4
Licensing Status: This technology is available for licensing.