FRET detection of DNA sequence via electrostatic interaction of polycationic phenyleneethynylene dendrimer with DNA/PNA hybrid

► Two cationic dendrimers are tested as a FRET donor in DNA sequence detection. ► Strong FRET signal is observed from the first generation dendrimer. ► Complementary DNA is readily detected and distinguished from a single mismatch DNA. ► Detection limit is lower than 1 nM. ► Higher detection sensitivity for target DNAs with extra hanging nucleotides.