External stimulation-controlled dynamic DNA devices for biosensing and biomedical applications

DNA devices that can recognize molecular inputs and transform them into functional outputs in an autonomous manner have been actively pursued as versatile toolkits for controlled nanofabrication, molecular network regulation, biosensing and cellular function modulation. The introduction of external stimuli-responsive units not only ensures the programmability and functionality of DNA devices themselves, but also confers rapid, remote and reversible dynamic regulation capabilities. This facilitates on-demand activation and expands the application scope of dynamic DNA devices. Herein, an overview of recent advances in the construction of stimuli-responsive DNA devices that respond to different exogenous triggers, including physical stimuli (e.g., light, thermal, magnetic field, and electric field), chemical stimuli (e.g., supermolecules, pH, redox, and metal ions), and biological cues (e.g., protein, biomolecule, and nucleic acid), and their controllable nanofabrication and biomedical application have been provided. The current challenges and potential solutions of these externally responsive DNA devices for their future advancements in this emerging field are also discussed.