Fluorescence amplification based on DNA structural changes for enzyme-free detection of microRNA

Abstract

For sensing biomarkers on site, this paper discusses detection of a microRNA (miRNA) by positional control of fluorescence molecules with DNA reactions. We designed a hybridization chain reaction-based system that can detect and amplify molecular signals as fluorescent signals without temperature control and enzymatic reactions. A target miRNA triggers to make a polymer structure by opening hairpin structure DNAs and this structural changes induce fluorescence enhancement. In experiments, we confirmed fluorescent amplification and linear relationship between the fluorescent intensity and the target concentration.