A "turn on/off" scorpion biosensor targeting point mutation of SMN genes for diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy.

A "turn on/off" biosensor for diagnosis of exon 7 of the SMN1 gene was developed by employing a "scorpion primer". This scorpion primer was based on the principle of fluorescence resonance energy transfer using a fluorophore, a blocker and a quencher. It was successfully applied to detect 10 volunteer samples, and not only to in vitro testing.