Ultrafast colorimetric detection of nucleic acids based on the inhibition of the oxidase activity of cerium oxide nanoparticles.

A label-free colorimetric method to detect nucleic acids, which relies on target DNA induced shielding of the oxidase activity of CeO2 NPs, is developed. With this novel strategy, target nucleic acids can be identified within a few minutes and without the need for post-purification of PCR products.