A label-free and enzyme-free system for operating various logic devices using poly(thymine)-templated CuNPs and SYBR Green I as signal transducers

Abstract

For the first time by integrating fluorescent polyT-templated CuNPs and SYBR Green I, a basic INHIBIT gate and four advanced logic circuits (2-to-1 encoder, 4-to-2 encoder, 1-to-2 decoder and 1-to-2 demultiplexer) have been conceptually realized under label-free and enzyme-free conditions. Taking advantage of the selective formation of CuNPs on ss-DNA, the implementation of these advanced logic devices were achieved without any usage of dye quenching groups or other nanomaterials like graphene oxide or AuNPs since polyA strands not only worked as an input but also acted as effective inhibitors towards polyT templates, meeting the aim of developing bio-computing with cost-effective and operationally simple methods. In short, polyT-templated CuNPs, as promising fluorescent signal reporters, are successfully applied to fabricate advanced logic devices, which may present a potential path for future development of molecular computations.