Mehrnaz Mehrabipour - Department of Biology, ShahidBahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
Hadi Ravan - Department of Biology, ShahidBahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
Sajad Rajabpour - Department of Biology, ShahidBahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

Proteins are one of the most common biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Therefore, creating new methods that allow fast, cost-effective and simple detection of proteins are important. In general, ELISA and Protein Array are versatile approaches for specific protein detection; however, they are consisting of considerable drawbacks including limited dynamic ranges, inadequate sensitivity and being time-consuming. Accordingly, due to nanotechnology developments in the diagnostic application, we proposed a DNA nanotechnology approach to design a DNA-based gate which functions based on an aptamer system for protein detection using strand displacement reaction. Besides, we have utilized an enhanced output signal in the designed system for highly sensitive detection of protein marker. In this study, all of the oligonucleotides have been designed using mFold software, and after the construction of DNA nanostructures, detection of protein biomarker was conducted by Tioflavin T. The results open avenues for the development of new DNA-based devices for sensing of different protein biomarkers in cancer prognosis.

Cancer Prognosis, DNA Strand Displacement, Protein Biomarker