title: Programmable Quantitative DNA Nanothermometers.
abstract: Developing molecules, switches, probes or nanomaterials that are able to respond to specific temperature changes should prove of utility for several applications in nanotechnology. Here, we describe bioinspired strategies to design DNA thermoswitches with programmable linear response ranges that can provide either a precise ultrasensitive response over a desired, small temperature interval (±0.05 °C) or an extended linear response over a wide temperature range (e.g., from 25 to 90 °C). Using structural modifications or inexpensive DNA stabilizers, we show that we can tune the transition midpoints of DNA thermometers from 30 to 85 °C. Using multimeric switch architectures, we are able to create ultrasensitive thermometers that display large quantitative fluorescence gains within small temperature variation (e.g., > 700% over 10 °C). Using a combination of thermoswitches of different stabilities or a mix of stabilizers of various strengths, we can create extended thermometers that respond linearly up to 50 °C in temperature range. Here, we demonstrate the reversibility, robustness, and efficiency of these programmable DNA thermometers by monitoring temperature change inside individual wells during polymerase chain reactions. We discuss the potential applications of these programmable DNA thermoswitches in various nanotechnology fields including cell imaging, nanofluidics, nanomedecine, nanoelectronics, nanomaterial, and synthetic biology.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biosensors and Nanomachines, Département de Chimie and ‡Département de Biochimie et Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Montréal , C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gareau
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biosensors and Nanomachines, Département de Chimie and ‡Département de Biochimie et Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Montréal , C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada.
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desrosiers
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biosensors and Nanomachines, Département de Chimie and ‡Département de Biochimie et Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Montréal , C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada.
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vallée-Bélisle
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA; D005453:Fluorescence; D036103:Nanotechnology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013696:Temperature; D013821:Thermometers
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: DNA nanotechnology; Nanothermometry; PCR; biosensors; fluorescence; molecular switches