DNA-mediated synergistic proximity ligation for ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence detection of microcystin-LR

"3-DNA cooperative complex" under identical conditions. The stronger ECL intensity observed in the "4-DNA cooperative complex" confirmed the synergistic proximity ligation effect, highlighting its critical role in facilitating the DNA hybridization. The developed PLA-based ECL aptasensor demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity and quick response and it was successfully applied to the detection of MC-LR in tap water. The novelty of this work lies in the strategic design of a dual-quencher DNA probe and the implementation of a competitive, synergistic PLA, which together enable ultrasensitive detection of small molecules like MC-LR, a challenge for traditional PLA methods.