Metal-enhanced fluorescence-based RNA sensing

J Am Chem Soc. 2006 Apr 5;128(13):4206-7. doi: 10.1021/ja0601179.

Abstract

In this communication, we present the proof-of-principle of a new RNA sensing technique, based on metal-enhanced fluorescence, which may improve the potential of solid substrate-based RNA capture assays. In this regard, the detection of RNA is accomplished by annealing a target RNA tagged with a fluorophore to a DNA anchor probe in a single step on a solid surface, where the fluorescence signal is enhanced by silver nanoparticles. Furthermore, the proposed method is highly amenable to high-throughput screening applications and is capable of detecting less than 25 fmol of RNA at a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 20, in several hours compared to that of reverse transcription-PCR at >24 h.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Oligonucleotide Probes / chemistry*
  • RNA / analysis*
  • Rhodamines / chemistry*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Silver / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence / methods*

Substances

  • 5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine succinimidyl ester
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Oligonucleotide Probes
  • Rhodamines
  • Silver
  • RNA