Fabrication of multiple molecular logic gates made of fluorescent DNA-templated Au nanoclusters

Molecular logic computation has drawn extensive attention in the fields of bioanalysis, intelligent diagnostics of diseases and other nanotechnology areas. DNA-templated Au nanoclusters (DNA-AuNCs) possess some excellent features, including high luminescence, good photo-stability and easy preparation. Herein, taking these advantages of DNA-AuNCs, we have designed and constructed a universal platform of label-free and enzyme-free multiple molecular logic gates, including NOR, XNOR, IMPLY, OR, AND, and INHIBIT. The experimental results have demonstrated the feasibility of these logic gates operations using Hg2+, Cu2+, biothiols, melamine and pyrophosphate (PPi) as inputs. Thus, the universal platform can be utilized for the determination of biothiols, melamine and pyrophosphate (PPi) via logic outputs. The strategy exhibited low cost, easy operation and versatile design, and can offer a promising platform for the development of functional logic systems.