Functionalized DNA nanoplatform for multi-target simultaneous imaging: Establish the atlas of cancer cell species.

Detection and imaging of cell membrane receptor proteins have gained widespread interest in recent years. However, recognition based on a single biomarker can induce false positive feedback, including off-target phenomenon caused by the absence of tumor-specific antigens. In addition, nucleic acid probes often cause nonspecific and undesired cell internalization during cell imaging. In this work, we constructed a logic gate DNA nano-platform (LGDP) for single-molecule imaging of cell membrane proteins to synergistically diagnose cancer cells. The traffic light-like color response of LGDP facilitates the precise discrimination among different cell lines. Combined with single molecule technology, the target proteins were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed synergistically. Logic-gated recognition integrated in aptamer-functionalized molecular machines will prompt fast cells analysis, laying the foundation of cancer early diagnosis and treatment.