An Intelligent DNA Nanorobot for Autonomous Anticoagulation

Abstract

Artificial nanorobots that can recognize molecular triggers and respond with programable operations provide an inspiring proof‐of‐principle for personalized theragnostic applications. We have constructed an intelligent DNA nanorobot for autonomous blood anticoagulation in human plasma. The DNA nanorobot comprises a barrel‐shaped DNA nanostructure as the framework and molecular reaction cascades embedded as the computing core. This nanorobot can intelligently sense the concentration of thrombin in the local environment and trigger an autonomous anticoagulation when excess thrombin is present. The triggering concentration of thrombin at which the nanorobot responds can be tuned arbitrarily to avoid possible side effects induced by excess thrombin. This makes the nanorobot useful for autonomous anticoagulation in various medical scenarios and inspires a more efficient and safer strategy for future personalized medicine.

Bispecific Aptamer Chimeras Enable Targeted Protein Degradation on Cell Membranes

“…Although modulating the in vivo stability of bispecific aptamer chimeras to control off-target clearance will remain a key challenge for further translational applications, we anticipate that our method will provide a powerful and universal platform for using the easily synthesized aptamer materials for on-demand modulation of membrane-bound proteins, therefore paving ways for the clinical translation of nucleic-acid-based molecular medicine. [32]…”

A DNA origami-based aptamer nanoarray for potent and reversible anticoagulation in hemodialysis

“…The catalytic rate of thrombin ( V Cat ) was partially inhibited by TBA15 or HD22 (20 nM; Supplementary Fig. 20 ) 31 . In comparison with the individual free aptamer strands, the mixtures of the aptamers and rectangular origami templates at equivalent aptamer amounts (Ori + T + H) resulted in slower fibrin formation velocities (Fig.…”

Bispecific Aptamer Chimeras Enable Targeted Protein Degradation on Cell Membranes

“…Since aptamers can be selected via Cell‐SELEX to recognize many membrane‐bound proteins of interest, [17] our method allows targeting various membrane proteins for selective degradation with similar mechanism and efficiency. Although modulating the in vivo stability of bispecific aptamer chimeras to control off‐target clearance will remain a key challenge for further translational applications, we anticipate that our method will provide a powerful and universal platform for using the easily synthesized aptamer materials for on‐demand modulation of membrane‐bound proteins, therefore paving ways for the clinical translation of nucleic‐acid‐based molecular medicine [32] …”