Genetically encoded RNA-based sensors for intracellular imaging of silver ionsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Details of the materials and methods and other figures. See DOI: 10.1039/c8cc08796b

Silver has been widely used for disinfection. The cellular accumulation of silver ions (Ag + ) is critical in these antibacterial effects. The direct cellular measurement of Ag + is useful for the study of disinfection mechanisms. Herein, we reported a novel genetically encoded RNA-based sensor to image Ag + in live bacterial cells. The sensor is designed by introducing a cytosine-Ag + -cytosine metallo base pair into a fluorogenic RNA aptamer, Broccoli. The binding of Ag + induces the folding of Broccoli and activates a fluorescence signal. This sensor can be genetically encoded to measure the cellular flux and antibacterial effect of Ag + . A genetically encoded RNA-based sensor to measure the flux and antibacterial effect of silver ions in living cells.