Fluorescence Turn‐On Detection of a Protein through the Reduced Aggregation of a Perylene Probe

Sensitivity that won't break the bank: The addition of an anti-lysozyme DNA aptamer (a polyanion) to a cationic perylene probe that exists in aqueous solution as a mixture of the fluorescent free monomer and aggregate forms shifted the equilibrium and resulted in fluorescence quenching (see schematic representation). The subsequent introduction of lysozyme weakened DNA binding to the perylene aggregates and led to fluorescence recovery.