Bioderived DNA Nanomachines for Potential Uses in Biosensing, Diagnostics, and Therapeutic Applications.

Abstract

Beside its genomic properties, DNA is also recognized as a novel material in the field of nanoengineering. The specific bonding of base pairs can be used to direct the assembly of highly structured materials with specific nanoscale features such as periodic 2D arrays, 3D nanostructures, assembly of nanomaterials, and DNA nanomachines. In recent years, a variety of DNA nanomachines are developed because of their many potential applications in biosensing, diagnostics, and therapeutic applications. In this review, the fuel-powered motors and secondary structure motors, whose working mechanisms are inspired or derived from natural phenomena and nanomachines, are discussed. The combination of DNA motors with other platforms is then discussed. In each section of these motors, their mechanisms and their usage in the biomedical field are described. Finally, it is believed that these DNA-based nanomachines and hybrid motifs will become an integral point-of-care diagnostics and smart, site-specific therapeutic delivery.