No abstract

Branched catalytic hairpin assembly is proposed for dynamic self-assembly of DNA dendrimers for signal amplification and in situ imaging of microRNAs in live cells with high sensitivity and selectivity.

The Raman probe plays an essential role in sensitive surfaceenhanced Raman scattering (SERS) assay. Here, a novel Raman probe was developed by assembling gold nanoparticles in triangular pyramid DNA (TP-Au NPs). Such probe with intense electromagnetic hot spots can provide dramatically enhanced Raman scattering. Through assembling recognition DNA on one corner of the TP-DNA, the recognition event is definite and designable. The probe was characterized through TEM, and its SERS superiority was investigated. As models, circulating tumor cells and exosomes were detected with high sensitivity and selectivity by using this probe. Meanwhile, the developed SERS probe can also perform well in real world samples.