DNA hybrid florescent chrominance sensor: Drug sensing through direct gradient florescent color transformation of hybrid DNA crystals loaded lanthanide (Eu3+/Tb3+) complexes

Abstract

In this study, a highly sensitive anticancer drug sensor was synthesized using DNA crystals loaded with luminescent Ln3+(Eu3+/Tb3+) complexes. The sensors exhibited a pronounced color transformation property due to the differential quenching of Eu3+ and Tb3+ emissions upon drug interactions. These luminescent hybrid DNA crystals present a significant advancement in sensing anticancer drugs like curcumin, transitioning from monitoring fluorescence intensity changes to a visually discernable color change. This new approach eliminates the need for specialized instrumentation. Owing to the intrinsic biocompatibility of materials composed of DNA, this hybrid sensor has the potential to sense drugs within the human body. Hybrid crystals loaded with a single complex will lose their fluorescence properties due to drug quenching; however, crystals loaded with mixed complexes emit distinct fluorescent colors, such as yellow-green and orange-red, at different drug concentrations. This color transformation allows for the direct determination of drug concentration based on crystal color, making the sensing process more simple and easily observable.