In the past few years, a suite of new catalytically active DNA sequences called DNAzymes have been isolated for RNA cleavage, and the reactions often require a specific metal ion as a cofactor. These DNAzymes turned out to be excellent for metal sensing. Direct selection with natural nucleic acids yielded new DNAzymes that can selectively detect hard metals such as Na+, Ca2+ and lanthanides. To detect softer thiophilic metals, a phosphorothioate (PS) modification was made at the RNA cleavage junction, yielding DNAzymes for Cd2+ and Cu2+. Strategies have also been developed to detect extremely thiophilic metals such as Hg2+, Tl3+, Ag+ and Au3+. These sensors can often achieve low parts-per-billion detection limits with excellent selectivity.

New catalytic DNA based biosensors for selective metal ions detection

2019 Fall National Meeting

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