Programmable DNA Devices: The Next Generation of Living Sensors in Agriculture, Health, and the Environment

Programmable DNA devices represent a transformative frontier in biosensing technology, offering unprecedented precision, adaptability, and miniaturization. These devices—ranging from DNA nanostructures and aptamer-based sensors to gene circuits and DNA strand displacement systems—are engineered to detect, respond, and adapt to specific molecular cues. This review explores the emerging landscape of DNA-based biosensors across agriculture, healthcare, and environmental science. We discuss recent advances, current challenges, and future prospects in creating living, self-regulating systems capable of real-time monitoring and decision-making. The convergence of DNA nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and bioinformatics may usher in a new era of intelligent sensing platforms for global sustainability and personalized medicine.