¹⁹F NMR ON/OFF nanoparticles: a universal approach for the specific detection of DNA-binding cancer biomarkers

A supramolecular approach for the design of assembly-disassembly-driven ¹⁹F ON/OFF nanoparticles, triggered by specific molecular recognition, for the detection of DNA binding cancer biomarkers is reported. The key to our design strategy is the characteristic ¹⁹F NMR signal of the probe, which completely vanishes in the aggregated state due to the shortening of T₂ relaxation. However, molecular recognition of DNA by the cancer biomarkers through specific molecular recognition results in the disassembly of the nanoparticles, which causes the restoration of the characteristic ¹⁹F signal of the probe. The universal nature of the approach is demonstrated through the selective detection of various cancer biomarkers including miRNA, ATP, thrombin, and telomerase.