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Membrane Scaffolds Enhance the Responsiveness and Stability of DNA-Based Sensing Circuits.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Kaufhold, Will T 
Brady, Ryan A 
Tuffnell, Joshua M 
Di Michele, Lorenzo  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1458-9747

Abstract

Target-induced DNA strand displacement is an excellent candidate for developing analyte-responsive DNA circuitry to be used in clinical diagnostics and synthetic biology. While most available technologies rely on DNA circuitry free to diffuse in bulk, here we explore the use of liposomes as scaffolds for DNA-based sensing nanodevices. Our proof-of-concept sensing circuit responds to the presence of a model target analyte by releasing a DNA strand, which in turn activates a fluorescent reporter. Through a combination of experiments and coarse-grained Monte Carlo simulations, we demonstrate that the presence of the membrane scaffold accelerates the process of oligonucleotide release and suppresses undesired leakage reactions, making the sensor both more responsive and robust.

Description

Keywords

Biosensing Techniques, Computer Simulation, DNA, Membranes, Artificial, Monte Carlo Method, Proof of Concept Study

Journal Title

Bioconjug Chem

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1043-1802
1520-4812

Volume Title

30

Publisher

American Chemical Society (ACS)
Sponsorship
Royal Society (UF160152)
Isaac Newton Trust (17.37(i))
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L015978/1)
EPSRC (1948690)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/J017566/1)