Design of a Molecular Beacon DNA Probe with Two Fluorophores

Abstract

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between two fluorophores (F₁ and F₂ ) attached to the two ends of a molecular beacon DNA probe containing a hairpin structure can be used for quantitative DNA/RNA studies. Concentrations of target-DNA as low as 1.7×10^-10 M could be determined with a commercial spectrometer by using coumarin and 6-carboxyfluorescein as the fluorophores. Measurements on the Förster energy transfer distance for the donor/acceptor pair can also be carried out using these DNA probes.