Detection of nano-confined DNA using surface-plasmon enhanced fluorescence

Surface-plasmon resonance (SPR)-induced enhanced fluorescence was used to detect the presence of fluorescent TOTO-1 bis-intercalated lambda-DNA complexes introduced into a periodic nanopore array. As we show, the proposed technique allows a high detection sensitivity by providing a strong fluorescence-signal efficiency from nano-confined fluorescent complexes. This novel platform could be used for sensing applications, or to detect and investigate the unique behaviors of nano-confined molecular systems. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.