DNA-embedding Schiff base molecule assemblies: an efficient biological detection approach based on clustering-triggered emission

Abstract

In this study, we prepared novel hybrid assemblies composed of a small Schiff base molecule, (E)-1-(4-(dimethylamino)-phenyl)iminomethyl-2-hydroxyl-naphthalene (DPIN), and single strand DNAs (ssDNAs). Owing to clustering-triggered emission (CTE), aggregated hybrid assemblies emit a strong fluorescence signal. However, after incubation with specific target DNA (tDNA) sequences, the formed double helical DNAs dispersed the hybrid assemblies and contributed to the decrease in the fluorescence signal. By contrast, the cases of 1-mer and random mismatched tDNA sequences did not show any such diminished fluorescence signal.