Soft bioelectronics embedded with self-confined tetrahedral DNA circuit for high-fidelity chronic wound monitoring

Xiao Zhao, Jiahao Huang, Juncheng Zhang, Bowen Yang, Zijuan Hu, Ting Li, Xiang Ma, Chunyan Jiang, Haochen Zou, Songrui Liu, Qiusui He, Lixing Weng, Ting Wang () and Lianhui Wang ()
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Xiao Zhao: Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Jiahao Huang: Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Juncheng Zhang: Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Bowen Yang: Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Zijuan Hu: Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Ting Li: Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Xiang Ma: First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University
Chunyan Jiang: First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University
Haochen Zou: Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Songrui Liu: Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Qiusui He: Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Lixing Weng: Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Ting Wang: Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Lianhui Wang: Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Monitoring wound protein biomarkers, especially inflammation-related proteins, is essential to assess wound progression and guide treatment. However, high-fidelity wound biosensing is challenging because of current biosensors’ limitations in detecting low-abundance proteins and their vulnerabilities to mechanical deformation, biofouling, and performance degradation. Here, we introduce a soft bioelectronics embedded with Self-Confined Tetrahedral DNA circuit (SCTD) for wound monitoring. In SCTD, proteins in wound exudate trigger DNA self-circulation amplification confined in the hydrophilic area, decreasing detection limits by an order of magnitude. The tetrahedral DNA structure ensures excellent mechanical stability (within 3% variation after 1000 bending cycles), prolonged stability (within 8% signal attenuation over 4 weeks), and reduced biofouling (over 50% BSA adhesion reduction). Coupled with wireless readout, this platform simultaneously monitors multiple wound healing-related proteins (TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β1, and VEGF) and biophysical parameters. The wireless platform demonstrates accurate in-situ monitoring of both non-infected and infected wounds on diabetic male mice without hindering the healing process, offering quantitative and comprehensive evaluation to guide treatment.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63927-9

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