Biocomputing Based on DNA Strand Displacement Reactions

Chemphyschem. 2021 Jun 16;22(12):1151-1166. doi: 10.1002/cphc.202100140. Epub 2021 May 20.

Abstract

The high sequence specificity and precise base complementary pairing principle of DNA provides a rich orthogonal molecular library for molecular programming, making it one of the most promising materials for developing bio-compatible intelligence. In recent years, DNA has been extensively studied and applied in the field of biological computing. Among them, the toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction (SDR) with properties including enzyme free, flexible design and precise control, have been extensively used to construct biological computing circuits. This review provides a systemic overview of SDR design principles and the applications. Strategies for designing DNA-only, enzymes-assisted, other molecules-involved and external stimuli-controlled SDRs are described. The recently realized computing functions and the application of DNA computing in other fields are introduced. Finally, the advantages and challenges of SDR-based computing are discussed.

Keywords: DNA computing; biological computing; logic gates; strand displacement reaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • Computers, Molecular*
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / chemistry*
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / genetics
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Endodeoxyribonucleases / chemistry
  • Logic
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization

Substances

  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Drug Carriers
  • Endodeoxyribonucleases