Oligonucleotide-based fluorogenic sensor for simultaneous detection of heavy metal ions

In this study, we report a new fluorogenic sensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) for detection of heavy metal ions in aqueous solution. The method showed the advantage of being simple, highly sensitive and selective, and rapid. The donor (CdTe QDs) and acceptor (TAMRA or Cy5) are brought into close proximity to one another due to Hg2+ and Ag+ form strong and stable T-Hg2+-T complexes and C-Ag+-C complexes, which quenches the fluorescent intensity of CdTe QDs and enables the energy transfer from donor to acceptor. This sensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity when only one kind of ion (Ag+ or Hg2+) exists. Furthermore, the assay can also simultaneously detect Ag+ and Hg2+ in water media with the limit of detection (LOD) of 2.5 and 1.8 nM, separately, which satisfactorily meets the sensitivity demands of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO). This assay also exhibits excellent selectivity toward Ag+ and Hg2+. Therefore, this method is of great practical and theoretical importance for detecting heavy metal ions in aqueous solution.

► A sensing platform for highly sensitive and selective detection of Ag+ and Hg2+ was developed.
► The sensor could be used to detect Ag+ and Hg2+ simultaneously in samples.
► The Limit of detection was 2.5 and 1.8 nM, respectively.
► The whole detection process takes only 30 min.