Molecular logic gate operations using one-dimensional DNA nanotechnology

Abstract

Rapid progress in DNA nanotechnology has inspired scientists to engineer DNA-based bio-computing circuits for information processing. Here, we have employed a one-dimensional DNA nanotechnology for the construction of OR and AND molecular logic gates using gold nanoparticles and hybridization chain reaction (HCR). The output signals were programmed for 1 nM of Hg²⁺ and/or Ag⁺ inputs. Both gates were completely shut down by excluding the HCR components in the logic gate operations. The output signals were recorded by measuring the rate and degree of color transition in the system. Because of its outstanding signal amplification and programmability features, HCR-based 1D DNA nanotechnology is a promising building block for highly sensitive DNA-based bio-circuit assemblies.