DNase 1 retains endodeoxyribonuclease activity following gold nanocluster synthesis

Here we present the synthesis of the enzyme DNase 1 stabilized gold nanoclusters (DNase 1:AuNCs) with core size consisting of either 8 or 25 atoms. The DNase 1:Au8NCs exhibit blue fluorescence whereas the DNase 1:Au25NCs are red emitting. In addition to the intense fluorescence emission, the synthesized DNase 1:AuNC hybrid retains the native functionality of the protein, allowing simultaneous detection and digestion of DNA with a detection limit of 2 μg/mL. The DNase 1:AuNCs could be conveniently employed as efficient and fast sensors to augment the current time-consuming DNA contamination analysis techniques.