A self-delivery DNA nanoprobe for reliable microRNA imaging in live cells by aggregation induced red-shift-emission

A new DNA nanoprobe based on a Y-shape and pyrene-modified DNA self-assembly is developed to sensitively and specifically detect microRNA through a pyrene excimer-monomer switch. Exhibiting the capability of self-delivery and resistance to nuclease degradation, the nanoprobe has been successfully applied for microRNA imaging in live cells.