Recognition triggered assembly of split aptamers to initiate a hybridization chain reaction for wash-free and amplified detection of exosomes

Abstract

Here, we develop a facile split aptamer-based system for the amplified, specific and wash-free detection of exosomes in situ assisted by a target-induced hybridization chain reaction (HCR). This design was successfully used to detect target exosomes in a bio-matrix and distinguish cancer patients from healthy individuals.