Quantum Dots-Fullerene Based Molecular Beacons for Highly Sensitive DNA Detection

Type
Thesis
Year of Publication
2016
Authors
Ye Liu
Date Published
Jan. 1, 2016
Publisher
Oregon State University
Abstract

We demonstrated a low-cost and high-sensitivity DNA detection method using quantum dot-fullerene based molecular beacons (MBs) and magnetic nanoparticles. The MB tethered magnetic nanoparticles can be well dispersed in analytes for efficient DNA capture and concentrated by an external magnetic field for enhanced fluorescence signal detection. The detection requires only 5 µl analyte samples and takes about 20 minutes. The high signal-to-noise ratio produced by the quantum dot-fullerene pairs and magnetic concentration yield a detection limit as low as 100 fM.