A Programmable DNA Biohybrid Material Coupled with Intelligent Cell-Free Computation for Environmental Sensing

Abstract

Programmable materials integrated with intelligent signal processing are essential for developing adaptive and autonomous environmental sensing systems. Here, we present a biohybrid material platform in which environmental DNA is captured by streptavidin (SA)-functionalized microparticles and delivered to a cell-free transcription-translation system for intelligent information processing. The microparticles selectively capture biotinylated DNA from their surroundings, which serve as molecular algorithm inputs for downstream biological computation. DNA immobilized on the particle surface remains transcriptionally active, enabling cell-free systems to produce tunable outputs, including (1) linear responses proportional to DNA input concentration and (2) threshold-dependent switching behaviors achieved through competitive binding. By offloading computation to a cell-free biochemical processor, this approach enables scalable, biocompatible sensing without the need for onboard electronics. This biohybrid design provides a versatile framework for engineering intelligent materials with applications in developing smart tools for healthcare and environmental monitoring.