Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between cationic porphyrins accelerated with DNA as a template

Resonance energy transfer between two cationic porphyrins, viz., (meso-tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin and its zinc derivative, along a model DNA, poly(dA-dT) as a template is demonstrated. The rate of energy transfer (k(EnT)), quantum yield ((Phi(EnT)) and critical transfer distance are evaluated to be 1.78 x 10(9) s(-1), 0.74, and 23 angstrom, respectively, indicating efficient energy transfer process.