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Ecosystem pollution by mercury ions (Hg) is a major health concern, yet classical analytical methods for mercury analysis are limited. This paper reviews the advances in Hg detection using DNA as recognition elements in the sensors. DNA as a recognition molecule is inexpensive, simple, and appropriate for real-time detection of Hg. This paper discusses the DNA-based sensors that were used for the detection of Hg. These can be carried out by electrochemistry, field effect transistors (FET), Raman spectroscopy, colorimetry, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The detection principles and the advantages of DNA in these sensors are also revealed. Finally, the paper provides an overview of prospects and potential challenges in the field.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/bios15050275 | DOI Listing |
Immunol Cell Biol
September 2025
Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), Sangareddy, Telangana, India.
The immune system uses a variety of DNA sensors, including endo-lysosomal Toll-like receptors 9 (TLR9) and cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS). These sensors activate immune responses by inducing the production of a variety of cytokines, including type I interferons (IFN). Activation of cGAS requires DNA-cGAS interaction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnal Chem
September 2025
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, PR China.
Pax-5a gene, as a nucleic acid biomarker closely associated with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), holds significant potential for early disease diagnosis. In this study, we developed a highly accurate and efficient "on-super on-off" photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor based on a dual-photoelectrode heterojunction system integrated with a multisphere cascade DNA amplification strategy. The designed heterojunction dual-photoelectrode platform, comprising a InO/CdS photoanode (on state) and an in situ-formed MIL-68(In)/InO (MIO) photocathode, effectively extends the electron-hole transport pathway, enhances photogenerated charge separation, and produces high-amplitude signal output (super on state), thereby providing a robust baseline for signal transduction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc
September 2025
Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China. Electronic address:
To achieve ultrasensitive and real-time detection of the H1N1 influenza virus, this study designed a nucleic acid-free fluorescent biosensor based on 3D spherical DNA nanostructure and CRISPR/Cas12a (3D-SDNC). The biosensor constructs a rigid 3D nano-framework via self-assembly of six oligonucleotide chains, with H1N1-specific nucleic acid aptamers and Cas12a activator strands strategically positioned at multi-spined vertices for precise spatial coupling between viral recognition and signal transduction. Upon aptamer-virus binding, the induced conformational change liberates the activator strand, thereby activating the trans-cleavage activity of the Cas12a/crRNA complex to efficiently cleave the HEX/BHQ1 double-labeled fluorescent probe and initiate cascade signal amplification.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanoscale
September 2025
School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India.
Early-stage cancer diagnosis is considered a grand challenge, and even though advanced analytical assays have been established through molecular biology techniques, there are still clinical limitations. For example, low concentration of target biomarkers at early stages of cancer, background values from the healthy cells, individual variation, and factors like DNA mutations, remain the limiting factor in early cancer detection. Volatile organic compound (VOC) biomarkers in exhaled breath are produced during cancer cell metabolism, and therefore may present a promising way to diagnose cancer at the early stage since they can be detected both rapidly and non-invasively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAngew Chem Int Ed Engl
September 2025
Institute of Materiobiology, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
Self-assembled DNA nanostructures have been popularly used to develop DNA-based electrochemical sensors by exploiting the nanoscale positioning capability of DNA origami. However, the impact of the electric field on the structural stability of the DNA origami framework and the activity of carried DNA probes remains to be explored. Herein, we employ DNA origami as structural frameworks for reversible DNA hybridization, and develop a single-molecule fluorescence imaging method to quantify electric field effects on DNA conformation and hybridization properties at the single-molecule level.
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