Decoding information stored in DNAs through single-molecule electrical detection platforms

Public summary

* Three single-molecule electrical techniques used for investigating single DNA molecules are summarized.

* The advances in studying single DNA molecules through single-molecule electrical platform are highlighted.

* A perspective on optimizing single-molecule electrical techniques to better investigate DNAs is provided.

Abstract

Advancements in single-molecule electrical detection techniques have provided a novel microscopic perspective for investigating the properties of single DNA molecules. These state-of-the-art technologies, with their ultra-high resolution at the single-event/single-base level, significantly enhance our understanding of the dynamic properties of single DNA molecules, thus providing valuable guidance for deciphering biological mechanisms, including DNA replication, repair, and transcription. In this review, we highlight the progress achieved through single-molecule electrical detection methodologies, including single-molecule junctions, single-molecule field-effect transistors, and single-molecule nanopores, in studying DNAs at the single-molecule level. Emphasis will be placed on notable discoveries concerning charge-transport properties, conformational dynamics, and sequence-specific analyses within single DNA molecules utilizing single-molecule electrical detection techniques. The application of single-molecule electrical detection techniques in clarifying the structure-function relationship of single DNA molecules is expected to catalyze revolutionary advancements in the fields of bioelectronics, molecular electronics, and nanotechnology.