Self-assembled DNA micelle-GNP for simultaneous detecting miRNAs of Alzheimer's disease via lateral flow assays.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a leading age-related neurodegenerative disorder, causes severe memory loss and cognitive impairment. Although no definitive cure currently exists, early diagnosis and continuous monitoring can help slow disease progression. Herein, we developed a lateral flow assay (LFA) for portable and sensitive detection of AD-related miRNA. DNA micelles (DM) were first designed to carry more gold nanoparticle (GNP) for improving the sensitivity of visual assay. Three types of DM-GNP probes were constructed for simultaneous detection of miR-34a, miR-125b, and miR-15a. These target miRNAs were visually identified within 20 min, with detection limits of 25 pM, 50 pM, and 10 pM, respectively. Importantly, the LFA enabled multiplexed miRNA detection without cross-interference. Importantly, the LFA platform enabled multiplexed miRNA detection without cross-interference. Therefore, the DM-GNP probe provides a sensitive and practical tool for LFA-based biosensing, offering a cost-effective, specific, and portable strategy for detecting AD-related miRNAs and other biomarkers.