DNA nanotechnology based point-of-care theranostics devices

Abstract

DNA nanotechnology provides simple and robust design approaches for self-assembling nanostructures with extra-ordinary potential for various biomedical applications. DNA has emerged as a material of choice for constructing nanodevices for various biomedical applications like theranostics (therapeutics + diagnosis), bioimaging and sensing due to its lucrative biochemical, biophysical as well as mechanical properties. A plethora of sensing/diagnostic devices already have been realized and at different stages of commercialization using DNA nanotechnology-based approaches. Point-of-care diagnostic devices have revolutionized the public healthcare sector, as it allows individual, on-site rapid testing via ultrasensitive sensing and diagnosis. We present a selective coverage of recent developments in DNA nanotechnology-based point-of-care diagnostic devices in terms of their biosensing and therapeutics capacity. Functionalizing DNA devices with diverse and specific sensing modules create the constructs responsive to specific ligands which place the modular and designer, functionalized DNA nanodevices at the core of diagnostic devices. We conclude with some of the future perspectives on commercialization aspects of DNA nanodevices in theranostics and healthcare.