microRNA assay system based on self-assembled nanoscale DNA origami arrays

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring.

Specific detection and absolute quantification of miRNAs is of clinical relevance for early cancer detection and monitoring progression.

The currently available techniques for miRNA detection based on DNA amplification are limited by lack of absolute quantification, low multiplexing capacity and time consumption.

Here, I propose to develop a miRNA assay system based on self-assembled nanoscale DNA origami arrays (miRanDa) for the simultaneous detection of multiple miRNA targets from breast cancer cells and plasma by using DNA-PAINT, state-of-art super resolution technique.

The formation of specifically configured finite 2D lattices of self-assembled DNA origami structures based on sticky-end hybridization will further improve the capacity of the detection system beyond the currently available techniques.

This assay can be further developed and adapted to the rapid, specific, sensitive and multiple detection of additional nucleic acid species, such as ctDNA, mRNA or lncRNA.