Quantum Dot--Ruthenium Complex Dyads: Recognition of Double-Strand. DNA through Dual-Color Fluorescence Detection.

We have developed a new fluorescent ensemble probe comprising an ionic conjugate between water-soluble thioglycolic acid (TGA) capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) and Ru(bpy)2(dppx)2+ for the dual-color detection of complementary double-stranded DNAs (dsDNA). To provide the platform for DNA detection, the Ru-complex was first employed as an effective fluorescence quencher to TGA capped QDs via photoinduced electron transfer process. Because of its strong binding affinity with Ru(bpy)2(dppx)2+, complementary dsDNA can break up the low fluoresced ionic ensemble, set free the luminescent QDs, and concomitantly generate the Ru(bpy)2(dppx)2+ intercalated DNA complex. Thus, the recognition of dsDNA by Ru(bpy)2(dppx)2+ can be realized via both the restoration of QDs fluorescence and the emergence of a new fluorescence emission signal of the quencher-substrate at 609 nm, while single-stranded DNA, ribonucleic acid, bovine albumin serum, and biological relevant metal ions cannot produce the similar results. Therefore, a simple, fast, sensitive, and highly selective assay for dsDNA has been realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]