Fig. 2

Schematic design for the C60-rRNA detector-reporter complex enables visualization of each microbe at a specific excitation frequency. The green and red reporters correspond to 488 and 568 nm excitation frequencies. a First, the C60 pyrrolidine is linked to an rRNA detector, which contains a complimentary sequence of a 16S rRNA region for a specific bacterium. Second, a DNA sequence with an attached fluorescence reporter is hybridized with the rRNA detector. At this point, the fluorescence signal is quenched. When the detector-reporter complex is incubated with the corresponding bacteria, and the C60-rRNA detector is recognized, the DNA reporter is released and fluoresces. b A brief cartoon describes how C60-rRNA detector-reporter complex enters the microbial cell, releases reporter and shines