A novel helper qPCR system for platinum detection via Pt-DNA coordination.

A novel real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) platform for the simple and robust detection of platinum is described for the first time. Compared with conventional qPCR, a helper template, which is related to the active template for performing qPCR, was introduced in our helper qPCR system. Several guanine (G) bases were introduced in the helper template to obtain a platinum-responsive on/off switch based on G-Pt-G coordination. Because of the helper template, a slight change in platinum concentration would significantly change the signal in the qPCR. This novel helper qPCR technique easily detects platinum with high sensitivity (1 ng/mL) and selectivity over other metal ions. Therefore, it will be a promising technique for the detection of platinum in biomedical and environmental samples.