A versatile DNA-supramolecule logic platform for multifunctional information processing

Chunrong Yang,Lingbo Song,Yalin Tang,Yuanyuan Du,Dan Huang,Shu Yang,Junling Deng,Dehong Yang,Jianchi Chen,Qianfan Yang

doi:10.1038/s41427-018-0051-4

Abstract

DNA-based logic units are rapidly being developed in molecular computation. However, because DNA cannot produce detectable signals, suitable signal reporters must be carefully selected, which is challenging, especially in advanced, multifunctional devices. By introducing a supramolecular reporter MTC [3,3’-di(3-sulfopropyl)-4,5,4’,5’-dibenzo-9-methyl-thiacarbo-cyanine triethylammonium salt], we developed a simplified DNA-supramolecule platform. Owing to the multiple assembly states of MTC, the platform contains only one reporter block but can provide multiple parallel outputs and easily implement several types of information processing functions, including data filtration (binary and ternary INHIBIT gates), selection (multiplexer and demultiplexer) and verification (parity checker and comparator). In addition to combinational circuits, a fundamental sequential logic circuit, counter, has also been fabricated at the molecular level. With the advantages of high reconfigurability, flexibility and enormous parallelism, this DNA-supramolecule prototype may have a promising future in the field of molecular computing and multiplex chemical analysis.

Highlights

Molecular computation has attracted intense attention in widespread. scientific studies over the past few decades[1,2,3]
To simplify the design of advanced logic circuits, we introduce a supramolecular reporter, which involves only one molecular block but is capable of displaying multiple assembly states[16,17] and, represents multiple output channels
MTC can assemble into either J- or Haggregates in the presence of potassium (Supplementary Fig. S7)

Summary

Introduction

Molecular computation has attracted intense attention in widespread. scientific studies over the past few decades[1,2,3]. A series of advanced logic circuits, such as multiplexer/demultiplexer[6], encoder/decoder[7,8] and parity checker[9,10], have been constructed via DNA-based systems These works promote the development of molecular computation and show great application potential for biomedical imaging[11], data storage[12], medical diagnostics[13], and biochemical analysis[14]. Reported DNAbased logic systems mostly contain two independent components: (1) oligonucleotides in charge of logical function and (2) extrinsic reporters responsible for monitoring the “state” of the logic devices This strategy works very well in simple logic circuits, such as basic Boolean logic gates and some single-output units[9,15]. The DNA-based platform designed by Wang’s group[8] employed four different fluorescent reporters with partially overlapping signals to

Methods

Results

Conclusion