Machine learning-optimized long single-stranded DNA synthesis technology empowers high-precision diagnostic–therapeutic integration in living cells

While DNA nanotechnology holds transformative potential across biomedical and information storage applications, current technologies face critical limitations in synthesizing long single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) with high purity and homogeneity. To address these challenges, we developed Ouroborosyn-ssDNA, a nicking enzymatic assisted replication (NEAR) platform that synergizes enzymatic engineering with computational optimization. By integrating phi29 DNA polymerase and Nb.BbvCI nickase in formate-based buffers, we achieved extended ssDNA synthesis up to 15 000 nt while preserving sequence fidelity, resulting in a 4.73-fold yield enhancement compared to commercial buffers. Notably, machine learning-guided parameter optimization identified magnesium ion dynamics and thermal modulation as pivotal determinants of enzymatic efficiency. Furthermore, solid-phase synthesis using thiol-gold immobilized templates demonstrated 86.38% purification recovery via automated magnetic bead systems, enabling scalable production. To validate functional utility, we engineered six-helix bundle DNA origami-CRISPR complexes that achieved nucleolin-targeted genome editing in cervical cancer cells, coupling GFP-based diagnostics with therapeutic E7 oncogene disruption. These advancements directly overcome key limitations in enzymatic stochasticity and product heterogeneity through buffer engineering and computational optimization, establishing a scalable pathway for applications in precision nanomedicine, synthetic biology, and molecular data storage. This integrated strategy advances DNA nanotechnology from proof-of-concept studies toward standardized biomanufacturing of sequence-defined macromolecular architectures.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nucleic Acids Research
Published
2026-02-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkag131
Primary Topic
Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
Type
article
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article

Machine learning-optimized long single-stranded DNA synthesis technology empowers high-precision diagnostic–therapeutic integration in living cells

Y X Zhang, Yang Gao, Yan Xu, Haizhen Wu et al.
Nucleic Acids Research
Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
article

Machine learning-optimized long single-stranded DNA synthesis technology empowers high-precision diagnostic–therapeutic integration in living cells

Y X Zhang, Yang Gao, Yan Xu, Haizhen Wu, Huizhan Zhang, Zhihua Ding, Jiang Ye, Yutian Cheng, Pengfei Li
article en

Abstract

While DNA nanotechnology holds transformative potential across biomedical and information storage applications, current technologies face critical limitations in synthesizing long single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) with high purity and homogeneity. To address these challenges, we developed Ouroborosyn-ssDNA, a nicking enzymatic assisted replication (NEAR) platform that synergizes enzymatic engineering with computational optimization. By integrating phi29 DNA polymerase and Nb.BbvCI nickase in formate-based buffers, we achieved extended ssDNA synthesis up to 15 000 nt while preserving sequence fidelity, resulting in a 4.73-fold yield enhancement compared to commercial buffers. Notably, machine learning-guided parameter optimization identified magnesium ion dynamics and thermal modulation as pivotal determinants of enzymatic efficiency. Furthermore, solid-phase synthesis using thiol-gold immobilized templates demonstrated 86.38% purification recovery via automated magnetic bead systems, enabling scalable production. To validate functional utility, we engineered six-helix bundle DNA origami-CRISPR complexes that achieved nucleolin-targeted genome editing in cervical cancer cells, coupling GFP-based diagnostics with therapeutic E7 oncogene disruption. These advancements directly overcome key limitations in enzymatic stochasticity and product heterogeneity through buffer engineering and computational optimization, establishing a scalable pathway for applications in precision nanomedicine, synthetic biology, and molecular data storage. This integrated strategy advances DNA nanotechnology from proof-of-concept studies toward standardized biomanufacturing of sequence-defined macromolecular architectures.

Nucleic Acids ResearchVol. 54(4)
East China University of Science and Technology (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 59%
Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
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