Design and bioanalytical applications of DNA hairpin-based fluorescent probes

•The advantages of DNA hairpin-based fluorescent probes (DHFPs) are discussed.•The various signal-labeled DHFP types and properties are listed.•The signal-transduction mechanisms are demonstrated by representative examples.•Some recent major bioanalytical applications of DHFPs are introduced.

DNA hairpin-based fluorescent probes (DHFPs) are widely used in molecular biology, biosensor development, mRNA monitoring in living cells and imaging in vivo. In this review, we focus on the typical designs and the recent bioanalytical applications of DHFPs. We describe the application of different materials with excellent photophysical properties as signal labels to reduce the background and to increase the brightness of the DHFPs. These labels range from dye molecules to nanomaterials. We also discuss the general design of signal-transduction mechanisms.