Peptides have higher information density than DNA and equivalent molecular recognition ability and durability. However, there are currently no reports on the comprehensive use of peptides' recognition ability and structural diversity for sensing, logic computing, information coding, and protection. Herein, we, for the first time, demonstrate peptide-based sensing, logic computing, and information security on the antimonene platform. The molecular recognition capability and structural diversity (amino acid sequence) of peptides (Pb 2+ -binding peptide DHHTQQHD as a model) adsorbed on the antimonene universal fluorescence quenching platform were comprehensively utilized to sense targets (Pb 2+ ) and give a response (fluorescence turn-on) and then to encode, encrypt, and hide information. Fluorescently labeled peptides used as the recognition probe and the information carrier were quenched and hidden by the large-plane twodimensional material antimonene and specifically bound by Pb 2+ as the stego key, resulting in fluorescence recovery. The above interaction and signal change can be considered as a peptide-based sensing and steganographic process to further implement quantitative detection of Pb 2+ , complex logic operation, information coding, encrypting, and hiding using a peptide sequence and the binary conversion of its selectivity. This research provides a basic paradigm for the construction of a molecular sensing and informatization platform and will inspire the development of biopolymer-based molecular information technology (processing, communication, control, security).
Plasmonic materials have been widely used in chemo/biosensing and biomedicine. However, little attention has been paid to the application of plasmonic materials in terms of the transition from molecular sensing to molecular informatization. Herein, we demonstrated that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared through facile and rapid microwave heating have multimode colorimetric sensing capabilities to different metal ions (Cr 3+ , Hg 2+ , and Ni 2+ ), which can be further transformed into interesting and powerful molecular information technology (massively parallel molecular logic computing and molecular information protection). The prepared AgNPs can quantitatively and sensitively detect Cr 3+ and Hg 2+ in actual water samples. The AgNPs' multimode-guided multianalyte sensing processing was further investigated to construct a series of basic logic gates and advanced cascaded logic circuits by considering the analytes as the inputs and the colorimetric signals (like color, absorbance, wavelength shift) as the outputs. Moreover, the selective responses and molecular logic computing ability of AgNPs were also utilized to develop molecular cryptosteganography for encrypting and hiding some specific information, which proves that the molecular world and the information world are interconnected and use each other. This research not only opens the door for the transition from molecular sensing to molecular informatization but also provides an excellent opportunity for the construction of the "metaverse" of the molecular world.
Inspired by information exchange and logic functions of life based on molecular recognition and interaction networks, ongoing efforts are directed toward development of molecular or nanosystems for multiplexed chem/biosensing and advanced information processing. However, because of their preparation shortcomings, poor functionality, and limited paradigms, it is still a big challenge to develop advanced nanomaterials‐based systems and comprehensively realize neuron‐like functions from multimode sensing to molecular information processing and safety. Herein, using fish scales derived carbon nanoparticles (FSCN) as a reducing agent and stabilizer, a simple one‐step synthesis method of multifunctional silver–carbon nanocomposites (AgNPs–FSCN) is developed. The prepared AgNPs–FSCN own wide antibacterial and multisignal response abilities in five channels (including color, Tyndall, absorption and fluorescence intensities, and absorption wavelength) for quantitative colorimetric and fluorescence sensing of H2O2, ascorbic acid, and dopamine. Benefiting from its multicoding stimuli‐responsive ability, molecular concealment, and programmability, AgNPs–FSCN can be abstracted as nanoneurons for implementing batch and parallel molecular logic computing, steganography, and cryptography. This research will promote the preparation of advanced multifunctional nanocomposites and the development of their multipurpose applications, including the multireadout‐guided multianalyte intelligent sensing and sophisticated molecular computing, communication, and security.
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