Neutral Red-carbon nanodots for selective fluorescent DNA sensing

Carbon nanodots modified with Neutral Red covalently inserted in the nanostructure (NR-CDs) have been prepared by a simple synthesis method based on microwave irradiation under controlled temperature and pressure. The synthetized NR-CDs have been characterized by different techniques, demonstrating the covalent bonding of Neutral Red molecules to the carbon dots nanostructure. Fluorescence activity of the prepare NR-CDs has been explored showing different interaction pathways with singled and doubled stranded DNA. These studies have been successfully applied to develop a new fluorescence DNA hybridization assay to the detection of a specific DNA sequence of Escherichia coli bacteria.

Automated summary

In this study, carbon nanodots modified with Neutral Red (NR-CDs) were synthesized using a simple method based on microwave irradiation. The synthesized NR-CDs were characterized and shown to have covalent bonding between Neutral Red molecules and the carbon dot nanostructure. The fluorescence activity of the NR-CDs was explored and applied to develop a new fluorescence DNA hybridization assay for detecting a specific DNA sequence of Escherichia coli bacteria.