Project description
A DNA origami biosensor
The complementary base pairs of DNA allow its folding into desired shapes and nanostructures through a process known as DNA origami. The EU-funded DeDNAed project is working on a novel sensor based on a DNA origami template that offers unparalleled sensitivity, versatility and speed. The architecture of the biosensor is essentially a single strand of DNA which folds after thermal treatment and creates sticky ends that are further decorated using sensing elements and nanoparticles. The biosensor is not limited to specific biomarkers, offering an extensive array of potential applications, from medical technology to food monitoring.
Objective
"The project ""DeDNAed"" is intended to develop a novel, innovative biosensing platform whose advantages and benefits are in terms of sensitivity, versatility and being ultrafast by an optical approach. Our platform will be based on the assembly and integration of sensing elements (transducer and bioreceptor) by DNA origami. The DNA origami will serve as a “nano bread board” in order to precisely control the position of these elements and thus the sensor architecture at the nanometer scale.
Metallic atomic clusters (ACs) are integrated into a biological marker molecule (DNA or antibody) and thus represent the biological sensor element. This is specifically integrated into a nanoarray made of additional metallic nanoparticles precisely controlled by a DNA origami template and will lead to a significant increase in signal. DNA origami serves as an individually inter- and intramolecularly programmable nano bread board. A DNA origami consists of a single strand of DNA, folded by a thermal treatment and certain staple strands into any shapes (2D as well as 3D, dimensions between 10 and several 100 nanometers). So-called ""sticky ends"" on the surface of the DNA origami offer the possibility of an individual implementation of the sensing elements and NPs, by means of correspondingly complementary oligonucleotides with a resolutions of 2 nm. When the analyte is connected to the sensor element, a change in the Raman signal can thus be detected without major delay using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). This sensor method is not bound to a specific biomarker molecule for the sensor element, but can be transferred to different marker molecules. This means a high degree of flexibility in the area of application, from medical technology to food monitoring. In addition, a transfer of the DNA origami-based sensor platform to flexible, textile substrates is carried out using lipid bi layers and the Langmuir-Blodgett method for later use as a wipe test or medical wearable."
Fields of science
Not validated
Not validated
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNA
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipids
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- engineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materials
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
09111 Chemnitz
Germany