Nucleic Acid Nanoprobes for Biosensor Development in Complex Matrices

Nucleic acid probes in living organisms play an essential role in therapeutics and diagnosis. Through the imaging and sensing of nucleic acid probes in complex biological matrices, a variety of diseases-related biological process, pathogenic process, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention have been discovered. However, a critical challenge of nucleic acid probes applied in complex matrices lies in enhancing the stability of nucleic acid probes, especially when it suffers from nuclease degradation and protein adsorption. In order to enhance the application of nucleic acid nanoprobes in complex matrices, great efforts have been devoted to improving the stability of probes operated in complex media, including construction of nucleic acid nanoprobes with nuclease resistance and protein adsorption resistance, sample pretreatment, anti-biofouling and signal correction. In this review, we aim to summarize recent advances in the stability of nucleic acid nanoprobes in complex matrices, including the methods of enhancing the stability of probes or signals, and the application of nucleic acid nanoprobes for disease diagnosis.