A multi-cycle signal amplification-mediated single quantum dot nanosensor for PIWI-interacting RNA detection

We construct a single quantum dot-based nanosensor for piRNA detection based on ligation-mediated multi-cycle signal amplification. This nanosensor is homogenous, selective, and sensitive with a detection limit of 0.104 fM. Moreover, it can detect the endogenous piRNA level in different cell lines, and discriminate cancer tissues from normal tissues. We report a catalytic single QD nanosensor for simple, selective, and highly sensitive quantification of piRNA.