Colorimetric Screening of DNA‐Binding Molecules with Gold Nanoparticle Probes

Nanoparticle assemblies interconnected with DNA can be used to screen for DNA-binding molecules colorimetrically. The melting temperature of the nanoparticle assembly increases in the presence of strong-DNA-binding molecules. Thus, the strength of the DNA binding can be determined by the change in this sharp melting transition, which is observable by a blue-to-red color change (see picture).