title: Optical sensors based on hybrid DNA/conjugated polymer complexes.
abstract: Single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) can specifically bind to various targets, including a complementary ss-DNA, ions, proteins, drugs, and so forth. When binding takes place, the oligonucleotide probe often undergoes a conformational transition. This conformational change of the negatively charged ss-DNA can be detected by using a water-soluble, cationic polythiophene derivative, which transduces the complex formation into an optical (colorimetric or fluorometric) signal without any labeling of the probe or the target. This simple and rapid methodology has enabled the specific and sensitive detection of nucleic acids and human thrombin. This new biophotonic tool can easily be applied to the detection of various other biomolecules and is also useful in the high-throughput screening of new drugs.
authors.affiliation: Département de Chimie, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec G1K 7P4, Canada.
authors.forename: Hoang-Anh
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Maïté
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Béra-Abérem
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leclerc
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013917:Thrombin / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D007477:Ions; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D011108:Polymers; D013917:Thrombin