title: Biomineralization-assisted ultrasensitive detection of DNA.
abstract: The development of instrument-free, PCR-less, ultrasensitive and selective DNA detection methods is highly desired in chemical and life sciences. Herein we report on the utility of a biomineralization-assisted amplification methodology for the identification of DNA. Significantly, the diagnostic strategy has allowed the target detection at a concentration as low as 50 aM, equivalent to approximately 180 copies in the entire 6 microL sample. In addition, the DNA sequence with a single-base mismatch can be differentiated from the perfect target through a facile salt-based stringency wash. Substitution of the DNA structures with other recognition moieties should allow the translation of the strategy to the assay of different targets of interest. The visual readout format provides a sound basis for the broad applicability of the proposed strategy, especially in resource-poor settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Sijing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Yishu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D020137:Base Pair Mismatch; D001483:Base Sequence; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA