Highly Selective Oligonucleotide‐Based Sensor for Mercury( II ) in Aqueous Solutions

Mercury gauge: An oligodeoxyribonucleotide(ODN)-based sensor, which carries energy-donor and -acceptor moieties (fluorescein, F, and dabcyl, D, respectively), selectively detects HgII ions in aqueous solution. Upon binding HgII ions, the ODN takes on a hairpin structure (see picture); this results in a decrease in the fluorescence emission through enhanced FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) from F to D. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2004/z54172_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other…