DNA‐Encoded Fluorescence Signals for Imaging Analysis

Fluorescence imaging has been a powerful technique for the visualization of interest biomolecules. It is widely used in basic biological research, clinical medicine, and other fields. However, the fluorescence signals are often too weak for detecting with simple devices or in complex environments. Besides, fluorescence signals are limited to about four to six dyes, restricting to the spectral overlap of organic fluorophores. DNA nanotechnology including structured and dynamic DNA nanotechnology emerges as a promising material to encode fluorophores, holding great potential to improve the properties of fluorescence signals. Substantial progresses have been achieved in the DNA-encoded fluorescence signals, exhibiting novel characteristics and applications. This review summarizes various DNA encoding strategies with fluorescence signals and their performance in imaging analysis. In this review, different DNA encoding methods and their impacts on the fluorescence signals in imaging is reported, such as brightness, photostability, kinetics, and multiplexing. Besides, the biological application of DNA-encoded signals are reviewed. Finally, potential solutions to address current challenges in DNA-encoded fluorescence signals are suggested, encouraging the future development of this area.