Breakthrough in DNA-based signaling cascades
Researchers at Université de Montréal have announced a groundbreaking approach to monitor drug concentrations in real time using DNA-based signaling cascades. The team, led by chemistry professor Alexis Vallée-Bélisle, has engineered programmable DNA components that report the presence and quantity of various molecules in a drop of blood within five minutes. The study, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, demonstrates a path toward simple, affordable, point-of-care devices for monitoring and optimizing treatment across a range of diseases.
From cells to sensors: mimicking natural signaling
Vallée-Bélisle’s team drew inspiration from cellular signaling cascades, which detect and respond to changing molecular environments. By mimicking these modular networks with DNA, the researchers created a system in which a target molecule binds to a specific DNA aptamer. This binding releases an inhibition on another electro-active DNA component, allowing it to reach an electrode surface and generate a measurable electrochemical current. The result is a fast, easily read signal that reflects the drug’s concentration in the sample.
How the sensor works
The sensing principle hinges on an aptamer—the yellow DNA strand in the study’s illustration—that binds selectively to a chosen molecule (shown in green). When binding occurs, it alters the interaction with a red, electro-active DNA strand. This change permits the red strand to transfer electrons at an electrode, creating an electrical current that can be detected with inexpensive, widely available electronics. This architecture supports rapid decoding of drug levels without the need for elaborate instrumentation.
Speed, versatility, and potential impact
The researchers report that four different molecules could be detected within the five-minute window, underscoring the system’s versatility. Because the readout is an electrochemical signal, the required hardware can be compact and affordable—akin to glucometers used by diabetics. The rapid turnaround of five minutes is particularly important for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), where precise dosing is critical for efficacy and safety.
Clinical implications and future directions
Independent experts highlighted the potential clinical impact of this technology. Dr. Vincent De Guire, a clinical biochemist linked to Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, noted that easy-to-perform tests could expand access to therapeutic monitoring and support personalized treatment plans. A connected, home-friendly solution could transmit results in real time to healthcare teams, helping tailor doses to individual pharmacokinetic profiles and reduce the risk of under- or over-dosing.
From bench to bedside: commercialization and ongoing work
The method’s promise has already attracted commercial interest: a patent for the invention has been licensed to Anasens, a Montreal-based company, to accelerate commercialization. In addition to the original targets used in the study, the researchers aim to generalize the approach to detect a wide range of drugs and biomarkers, enabling a suite of inexpensive, portable tests suitable for hospital, clinic, or home use.
About the researchers
The work is led by UdeM chemistry professor Alexis Vallée-Bélisle, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Bioengineering and Bio-nanotechnology. Co-authors include postdoctoral researchers and students from UdeM, including Guichi Zhu and Bal-Ram Adhikari, who contributed to the development and validation of the DNA-based signaling cascades in living models and in vitro systems.
What this means for patients
By enabling rapid, affordable measurement of drug levels, this DNA-based sensor could help clinicians adjust therapies more precisely and promptly. The approach aligns with a broader push toward personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to the patient’s unique biology and treatment response. While the technology is still transitioning from the lab to real-world use, its potential to simplify therapeutic drug monitoring—and to bring it into routine care—represents a meaningful advance in medical diagnostics.
