A real-time fluorescent assay for the detection of alkaline phosphatase activity based on carbon quantum dots.

A convenient and real-time fluorometric assay with the assistance of copper ions based on aggregation and disaggregation of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) was developed to achieve highly sensitive detection of alkaline phosphatase activity. CQDs and pyrophosphate anions (PPi) were used as the fluorescent indicator and substrate for ALP activity assessment respectively. Richness of carboxyl groups on the surface of CQDs enables their severe aggregation triggered by copper ions, which results in effective fluorescence quenching. Under the catalytic hydrolysis of ALP, PPi can be rapidly transformed to phosphate ions. Stronger affinity of phosphate ions to copper ions than carboxyl groups is taken advantage of to achieve fluorescence recovery induced by re-dispersion of CQDs in the presence of ALP and PPi. Quantitative evaluation of ALP activity in a broad range from 16.7 to 782.6 U/L with the detection limit of 1.1 U/L can be realized in this way, which endows the assay with high enough sensitivity for practical detection in human serum. This strategy broadens the sensing application of fluorescent CQDs with excellent biocompatibility, and provides an example based on disaggregation in optical probe development.

A fluorescent nanosensor based on graphene quantum dots-aptamer probe and graphene oxide platform for detection of lead (II) ion.

The sensitive detection of heavy metal ions in the organism and aquatic ecosystem using nanosensors based on environment friendly and biocompatible materials still remains a challenge. A fluorescent turn-on nanosensor for lead (II) detection based on biocompatible graphene quantum dots and graphene oxide by employment of Pb(2+)-induced G-quadruplex formation was reported. Graphene quantum dots with high quantum yield, good biocompatibility were prepared and served as the fluorophore of Pb(2+) probe. Fluorescence turn-off of graphene quantum dots is easily achieved through efficient photoinduced electron transfer between graphene quantum dots and graphene oxide, and subsequent fluorescence turn-on process is due to the formation of G-quadraplex aptamer-Pb(2+) complex triggered by the addition of Pb(2+). This nanosensor can distinguish Pb(2+) ion from other ions with high sensitivity and good reproducibility. The detection method based on this nanosensor possesses a fast response time of one minute, a broad linear span of up to 400.0 nM and ultralow detection limit of 0.6 nM.

DNA nanosensor based on biocompatible graphene quantum dots and carbon nanotubes.

An ultrasensitive nanosensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between biocompatible graphene quantum dots and carbon nanotubes for DNA detection was reported. We take advantage of good biocompatibility and strong fluorescence of graphene quantum dots, base pairing specificity of DNA and unique fluorescence resonance energy transfer between graphene quantum dots and carbon nanotubes to achieve the analysis of low concentrations of DNA. Graphene quantum dots with high quantum yield up to 0.20 were prepared and served as the fluorophore of DNA probe. FRET process between graphene quantum dots-labeled probe and oxidized carbon nanotubes is easily achieved due to their efficient self-assembly through specific π-π interaction. This nanosensor can distinguish complementary and mismatched nucleic acid sequences with high sensitivity and good reproducibility. The detection method based on this nanosensor possesses a broad linear span of up to 133.0 nM and ultralow detection limit of 0.4 nM. The constructed nanosensor is expected to be highly biocompatible because of all its components with excellent biocompatibility.