Pyrene Excimer for DNA Sensors

Nucleic acids are unique molecular recognition elements in biosensors having targets that range from ions, small molecules, peptides, proteins and DNA/RNA to virus and whole cells. Pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic compound with very special photophysical characteristics, including long fluorescence lifetime, high quantum yield, and the capability of forming excited state dimers with large Stokes shift. In recent years, pyrene has been used extensively as a novel signaling element in nucleic acid sensors. In this review, we will discuss the optical properties of pyrene and summarize recent progress in the development of pyrene DNA probes for the sensing of nucleic acids, proteins, and small molecules.