Achieving room temperature DNA amplification by dialling in destabilizationElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Sequences, the synthesis and characterization of DNA strands, DNA ligation procedures as well as PAGE images of all ligation reactions are available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5cc01548k

The ability to amplify nucleic acid biomarkers at room temperature has remained elusive despite the great need of diagnostics suitable for the point of care. To exponentially amplify DNA within a wide range of ambient temperatures (18-26 °C), we explore combining two destabilizing elements in our isothermal lesion-induced DNA amplification system. We demonstrate rapid DNA amplification at the bench without a heat source. The ability to amplify nucleic acid sequences at room temperature without the need for any heating element has been achieved, which has promise in bio-diagnostics employed at the point of care.