Novel Theranostic DNA Nanoscaffolds for the Simultaneous Detection and Killing of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

A novel theranostic platform is made by utilizing a self-assembled DNA nanopyramid (DP) as scaffold for incorporation of both detection and therapeutic moieties to combat bacterial infection. Red-emissive glutathione-protected gold nanoclusters (GSH-Au NCs) were used for bacterial detection. Actinomycin D (AMD) that was intercalated on the DP scaffold was used as therapeutic agent. This results in the formation of theranostic DPAu/AMD. Model bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were found to be readily taken in the DPAu/AMD and be susceptible to its killing effect. In addition, DPAu/AMD was observed to outperform the free AMD in killing infectious bacteria. The degradation of the DP structure by DNase was found to be responsible for the release of AMD and the effective killing effect of the infectious bacteria. This novel strategy presents a basic platform for future improvements to detect infectious bacteria and treatment.