Highly Selective Oligonucleotide‐Based Sensor for Mercury(II) in Aqueous Solutions

Mercury gauge: An oligodeoxyribonucleotide(ODN)-based sensor, which carries energy-donor and -acceptor moieties (fluorescein, F, and dabcyl, D, respectively), selectively detects HgII ions in aqueous solution. Upon binding HgII ions, the ODN takes on a hairpin structure (see picture); this results in a decrease in the fluorescence emission through enhanced FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) from F to D. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2004/z54172_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.