One-Step, Room Temperature, Colorimetric Detection of Mercury (Hg~(2+)) Using DNA/Nanoparticle Conjugates

摘要

Because of the increasing threat of mercury exposure in the environment from global mercury emissions as well as various forms of contamination, there has been a growing interest in the development of highly sensitive and selective systems for mercuric ions (Hg~(2+)) over the past few years. Various sensor systems for detection of Hg~(2+), based upon organic chromophores or fluoro-phores, conjugated polymers, oligonucleotides, DNAzymes, proteins, thin films, and nanoparticles (NPs), have been reported. Most of these systems, however, have either limitations with respect to sensitivity, selectivity, and simplicity or the need of electronic read-out circuits for substantial sensitivity. Mirkin et al. recently reported colorimetric detection of Hg~(2+) in aqueous media using DNA-functionalized gold NPs.