The Aggregation of Au Nanoparticles by an Autonomous DNA Machine Detects Viruses

Virus scanner: A DNA-based machine that performs a mechanical operation, such as scission or replication, can be used to stimulate the aggregation of Au NPs (see TEM image). The process allows the colorimetric imaging of the machine functions and the optical readout of DNA biosensing, with a sensitivity limit corresponding to 1×10−12 M.