Selection and characterization of DNA aptamers for the development of light-up biosensor to detect Cd(II)

In order to develop a facile, cost-effective and quick-testing light-up biosensor with excellent specificity for cadmium ions (Cd(II)) detection, a modified selection method based on target-induced release of strands was used to isolate aptamers of Cd (II) with high specificity. Circular Dichroism (CD) data confirmed that one of the selected aptamers underwent a distinct conformational change on addition of Cd (II). A biosensor for Cd(II) was developed based on the Cd(II)-induced release of fluorescence-labeled aptamer from complex with a quencher-labeled short complementary sequence. The sensing platform displayed a Cd(II) concentration-dependent increase of fluorescence intensity in the low micromolar range and had an excellent selectivity in the presence of various interfering metal ions. Such biosensor could potentially be used for the detection of Cd(II) in environmental samples.