Gold nanoclusters with excellent fluorescence intensity, stability and biocompatibility have promising application prospects in the field of detection. Inspired by the growth behavior of sea squirts adhered to ropes, a novel bionic bifunctional cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-based gold nanocluster probe was effectively constructed by directionally growing gold nanoclusters on CNCs modified with a specific DNA sequence. The constructed probe has excellent fluorescence properties and stability. The “ON or OFF” conversion mode of fluorescence was designed to detect different pathological markers in cells. In the “ON” mode, the probe readily combined with various sulfhydryl group containing markers (acetylcholinesterase, cysteine and glutathione) to produce fluorescence quenching and realize detection, the corresponding detection limits were as low as 0.015 mU/mL, 0.028 μM and 0.228 μM, respectively. Interestingly, the fluorescence of the probe could be regulated to the OFF mode via the assembly of the graphene oxide structure in accordance with Förster resonance energy transfer. The fluorescent probe with OFF mode could selectively recognize the carcinoembryonic antigen biomarker of malignant tumours via fluorescence enhancement, and its limit of detection was as low as 0.54 ng/mL. The as-developed novel strategy has positive significance for the early diagnosis of malignant tumours.

金纳米团簇具有优异的荧光强度、稳定性和生物相容性，在检测领域具有广阔的应用前景。受海鞘附着在绳索上的生长行为的启发，通过在用特定 DNA 序列修饰的 CNCs 上定向生长金纳米团簇，有效地构建了一种新型仿生双功能纤维素纳米晶 (CNC) 基金纳米团簇探针。构建的探针具有优良的荧光特性和稳定性。荧光的“开或关”转换模式旨在检测细胞中的不同病理标志物。在“ON”模式下，探针很容易与各种含巯基的标记物（乙酰胆碱酯酶、半胱氨酸和谷胱甘肽）结合，产生荧光猝灭而实现检测，相应的检测限低至0。分别为 015 mU/mL、0.028 μM 和 0.228 μM。有趣的是，根据 Förster 共振能量转移，探针的荧光可以通过氧化石墨烯结构的组装被调节到关闭模式。OFF模式荧光探针可通过荧光增强选择性识别恶性肿瘤癌胚抗原生物标志物，检测限低至0.54 ng/mL。所开发的新策略对恶性肿瘤的早期诊断具有积极意义。OFF模式荧光探针可通过荧光增强选择性识别恶性肿瘤癌胚抗原生物标志物，检测限低至0.54 ng/mL。所开发的新策略对恶性肿瘤的早期诊断具有积极意义。OFF模式荧光探针可通过荧光增强选择性识别恶性肿瘤癌胚抗原生物标志物，检测限低至0.54 ng/mL。所开发的新策略对恶性肿瘤的早期诊断具有积极意义。