A molecular beacon-like Ag nanocluster fluorescence probe for nucleic acid detection

We have developed a type of low-cost, label-free silver nanocluster molecular beacon-like fluorescence sensor with a DNA template. To detect target DNA with this probe, we use a hairpin DNA sequence based on a turn-on strategy. The transformation of hairpin DNA would visibly influence the formation of Ag nanoclusters, such that the stronger fluorescence will be measured with the solution containing target nucleic acids than that without targets nucleic acids. There is a good liner relationship between the fluorescence and the target DNA concentrations, ranging from 1 to 750 nmol L-1. Importantly, the detection sensing platform allows down to 1 nmol L-1, which is much lower than other studies.

Automated summary

A low-cost silver nanocluster fluorescent sensor with a DNA template was developed in this study, which detects target DNA using a hairpin DNA sequence and shows a strong relationship between fluorescence intensity and target DNA concentration.