Applications of DNA Nanomachines in Medical Diagnostics.

DNA nanomachines leverage their high programmability, precise spatial addressability, and near-atomic structural control to overcome key limitations of conventional medical diagnostics. Through rational design, they enable highly specific biomarker recognition, amplification of low-abundance signals, and dynamic responses, thereby enhancing diagnostic sensitivity, speed, and accuracy. These capabilities open new avenues for early disease screening, classification, prognostic assessment, and emergency medical response. This review provides a comprehensive survey of the fundamental principles and working mechanisms of DNA nanomachines and the strategies for constructing functional devices and their applications in medical diagnostics, as well as current challenges and future directions.