Functional nucleic acid probe refers to a class of nucleic acid molecules with specific structure and function, which can specifically bind to the target molecule or cell to produce detectable signals, so as to realize the qualitative, quantitative or localization of the target molecule or cell. Functional nucleic acid probes include aptamers, DNA enzymes, nucleic acid logic gates, etc. With their high stability, low cost, easy design and synthesis, functional nucleic acid probes can be used as an ideal molecular identification tool for the molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases.

The study of functional nucleic acid probes and molecular diagnosis of major diseases is a frontier and active field with broad application prospects. At present, some important progress has been made in this field, such as the use of functional nucleic acid probes to detect SARS-CoV-2, HIV, tuberculosis and other major infectious diseases; the use of functional nucleic acid probes to achieve multi-mode detection or imaging, such as fluorescence, electrochemistry, photosound, and the use of functional nucleic acid probes to achieve rapid field detection, such as portable instruments, paper-based chips, etc. In the future, this field needs further basic theoretical and mechanistic research, design novel functional nucleic acid probes and detection / imaging strategies to improve its sensitivity, specificity and reliability, and expand its application in clinical diagnosis and individualized therapy.

Reference Documentation:

[1]Recent advances of functional nucleic acid-based sensors for point-of-care detection of SARS-CoV-2.

[2]Molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases.

[3]Selection and applications of functional nucleic acids for infectious disease detection and prevention.