Label-free and rapid colorimetric detection of DNA damage based on self-assembly of a hemin-graphene nanocomposite

Hemin-graphene nanosheets (H-GNs) can be controllably assembled by target DNA via a hybridization process. This results in a color change from dark blue-green to light blue-green. The degree of aggregation is dependent on DNA concentration and very sensitive to base mismatch. The formation of the blue-green color can be detected with bare eyes or a spectrometer. The method is simple, rapid, and works over the concentration range from 1.0 to 100 nM. The detection limit for target DNA is 0.2 nM. Excellent selectivity is also found in that a DNA with a single base mismatch can be discriminated. This was exploited to detect DNA damage as induced by styrene oxide, sodium arsenite, Fenton’s reagent, or UV radiation. We presume that this method represents a promising tool for evaluating genotoxicity.