Logic-signal-based Multiplex Detection of MiRNAs with High Tension Hybridization and Multiple Signal Amplification

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression. The abnormal expression of miRNA is often closely related to many diseases. However, the accurate clinical profiling of miRNA expression remains a great challenge due to the high similarity and wide variety of miRNA sequence structure. Here, we report a highly specific and sensitive multiplex miRNA detection scheme with high tension hybridization and dual signal amplification based on recyclable autocatalytic DNAzyme and light harvesting conjugated polymer. Multiple signals can be read out simultaneously by single excitation through efficient multiple fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between conjugated polymer and different small molecule dyes. In addition, different types of logic gate can also be operated by observing the emission intensities of the labeling dyes with miRNAs as inputs, thus giving rise to a new way for the specific detection of certain miRNAs according to the logic signals. Furthermore, we successfully applied the strategy for multiple miRNAs detection in cell lysates and the results agree well with that of qRT-PCR. Thus, we believe that this platform holds great potential for miRNA detection in biological samples.