title: Target-assembled exciplexes based on Scorpion oligonucleotides.
abstract: Scorpion probes, specific DNA probe sequences maintained in a hairpin-loop, can be modified to carry the components of an exciplex for use as a novel fluorescence-based method for specific detection of DNA. The exciplex partners (5'-pyrenyl and 3'-naphthalenyl) were attached to oligonucleotides via phosphoramidate links to terminal phosphate groups. Hybridization of the probe to a complementary target in a buffer containing trifluoroethanol produced an obvious fluorescence change from blue (pyrene locally excited state emission) to green (exciplex emission).
authors.affiliation: Wolfson Centre for Rational Structure-Based Design of Molecular Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gbaj
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Maria Candelaria
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rogert
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sardarian
authors.forename: Elena V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Bichenkova
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Etchells
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Whitcombe
authors.forename: Kenneth T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Douglas
mesh_terms: D015342:DNA Probes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes