DNA origami signal amplification in lateral flow immunoassays

Heini Ijäs (), Julian Trommler, Linh Nguyen, Stefan Rest, Philipp C. Nickels, Tim Liedl and Maximilian J. Urban ()
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Heini Ijäs: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Julian Trommler: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Linh Nguyen: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Stefan Rest: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Philipp C. Nickels: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Tim Liedl: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Maximilian J. Urban: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) enable a rapid detection of analytes in a simple, paper-based test format. Despite their multiple advantages, such as low cost and ease of use, their low sensitivity compared to laboratory-based testing limits their use in e.g. many critical point-of-care applications. Here, we present a DNA origami-based signal amplification technology for LFIAs. DNA origami is used as a molecularly precise adapter to connect detection antibodies to tailored numbers of signal-generating labels. As a proof of concept, we apply the DNA origami signal amplification in a sandwich-based LFIA for the detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in human serum. We show a 55-fold improvement of the assay sensitivity with 40-nm gold nanoparticle labels and an adjustable signal amplification of up to 125-fold with fluorescent dyes. The technology is compatible with a wide range of existing analytes, labels, and sample matrices, and presents a modular approach for improving the sensitivity and reliability of lateral flow testing.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57385-6

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