Fig. 1: Design of an aptamer-functionalized DNA origami nanoarray for anticoagulation in hemodialysis.

a Schematic illustration of the construction of the aptamer-loaded nanoarray by DNA origami, and the specific binding and inhibition of thrombin. Single-stranded M13mp18 DNA (M13) is folded by annealing with staple strands and capture strands (staple + capture) to form a rectangular DNA origami. Two types of thrombin-binding aptamers, TBA15 and HD22, are loaded onto the DNA origami by hybridization with capture sequences (blue and red) that extend from the surface of the rectangular DNA template (DNA Aptarray). The Aptarray can specifically and efficiently bind thrombin molecules, inhibiting coagulation. b Schematic representation of the utilization of the DNA Aptarray for efficient anticoagulation in hemodialysis. Fresh human blood from healthy donors along with the Aptarray is pumped via mechanical roller pump to a dialysis column (Dialyzer) through the closed extracorporeal circuit, while the dialysate flows through the device and then discarded. Aptarray captures thrombin molecules and efficiently inhibits their catalytic activities, eliciting robust anticoagulatory effects in the ex vivo extracorporeal hemodialysis circuit.