Entropy driven circuit as an emerging molecular tool for biological sensing: A review

Nucleic acids are not only genetic information carriers but also powerful building blocks for signal amplification. Among the amplification strategies based on nucleic acids, entropy-driven circuit (EDC) is considered as a milestone in the field of DNA circuits, which is driven by entropy augmentation of additionally released molecules instead of enthalpy gain of base-pair formation. Apart from nonenzymatic and isothermal features, EDC has the promising advantages of rapidness, simplicity, robustness and modularity. Consequently, a variety of studies related to EDC have been reported over the past decade. However, until now, there is not a symmetric review about EDC in biosensing. Therefore, in this review, we make a comprehensive and in-depth summarization of the mechanism, diversified development of EDC with objective discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each method, and the applications of EDC-based biosensors. Finally, the challenges and prospects of this rapidly developing area are also presented. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Nucleic acids serve as genetic information carriers and powerful building blocks for signal amplification. Entropy-driven circuit (EDC) is considered a milestone in DNA circuits, featuring advantages of rapidness, simplicity, robustness, and modularity.