DNAzymes for sensing, nanobiotechnology and logic gate applications

Itamar Willner, Bella Shlyahovsky, Maya Zayats, Bilha Willner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

722 Scopus citations

Abstract

Catalytic nucleic acids (DNAzymes or ribozymes) are selected by the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment process (SELEX). The catalytic functions of DNAzymes or ribozymes allow their use as amplifying labels for the development of optical or electronic sensors. The use of catalytic nucleic acids for amplified biosensing was accomplished by designing aptamer–DNAzyme conjugates that combine recognition units and amplifying readout units as in integrated biosensing materials. Alternatively, “DNA machines” that activate enzyme cascades and yield DNAzymes were tailored, and the systems led to the ultrasensitive detection of DNA. DNAzymes are also used as active components for constructing nanostructures such as aggregated nanoparticles and for the activation of logic gate operations that perform computing.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1153-1165
Number of pages13
JournalChemical Society Reviews
Volume37
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 May 2008

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