A simple PCR-based fluorometric system for detection of mutant fusion DNAs using a quencher-free fluorescent DNA probe and graphene oxide.

We propose a facile fluorometric system for detection of gene mutations using graphene oxide (GO). A fluorescent probe DNA anneals to a specific mutant gene and is degraded by the 5'→ 3' exonuclease activity of Taq polymerase during PCR, and the released fluorophore retains fluorescence after addition of GO without quenching.