Single-molecule DNA origami aptasensors for real-time biomarker detection
Keitel Cervantes‐Salguero, Mark Freeley, Jorge L. Chávez, Matteo Palma
Abstract
Here we report the use of DNA nanostructures as platforms to monitor the inherent conformational changes of aptamers upon analyte binding, with single-molecule resolution and real-time capability. An aptasensor designed to sense cortisol was found to suffer from instability in solution, but this was reconciled via a rational design of a single-molecule sensing platform. In this regard, DNA origami was employed to immobilise individual aptasensors on a glass surface and to ensure adequate interaction with their environment, for single-molecule analysis. The strategy presented here can be applied to any aptamer obtained by the destabilisation of a duplex in a SELEX process, and hence employed in the rational design of single-molecule biosensors.