Simple DNA-based logic gates responding to biomolecules and metal ions

The combination of chemical and molecular technologies to emulate silicon-based processing has arisen as a fascinating area of research in the scientific community. This has stimulated the development of molecular-scale logic gates that can parallel the Boolean functions representing the fundamental basis of modern computing. In this regard, the extraordinary diversity of nucleic acid structures and functions can be potentially harnessed to perform logic operations for molecular computers. In this Perspective, we highlight recent advances in the development of simple DNA logic gates devices producing luminescence, colorimetric, electrochemical or electrochemiluminescence signals responding to biomolecules and metal ions for sensory and computing applications.