Photochemically amplified detection of molecular recognition events: an ultra-sensitive fluorescence turn-off binding assay

Abstract

Amplified fluorescence quenching methodology based on massive autocatalytic photo-unmasking of a dual function sensitizer–quencher is developed and adopted for photoassisted ultra-sensitive detection of molecular recognition events. The resulting binding assay, based on a molecular recognition-triggered photo-amplified cascade with concomitant decrease of fluorescence is validated with the biotin–avidin pair, achieving attomolar detection.