A simple, one-pot and ultrasensitive DNA sensor via Exo III-Assisted target recycling and 3D DNA walker cascade amplification

Rapid, sensitive, and user-friendly nucleic acid detection is of growing importance in early clinical diagnosis. Here, we construct a simple, one-pot and ultrasensitive DNA sensor via exonuclease III (Exo III)-assisted target recycling amplification (ERA) combined with 3D DNA walker cascade amplification. In the presence of single-stranded DNA target, the ERA process is activated to generate numerous walker strands (WS). Thereafter, Exo III-powered WSs autonomously move along magnetic bead (MB)-based 3D track to release numerous AgNCs into the supernatant as an amplified signal output. This biosensor had a low detection limit of 18 fM and an analytical range of 40 fM to 1 pM. Furthermore, the practical application potential of this biosensor was also confirmed by the spiking experiments of p53 into human serum and urine samples.