A novel dual energy transfer probe for intracellular mRNA detection with high robustness and specificity

•The dual energy transfer probe for mRNA detection eliminates nuclease degradation-induced false positive results.•Detection of mRNA without amplification at sub-nM level was achieved.•The impact of anti-tumor drugs on the expression of tumor-specific survivin gene in living cells was first studied.•The probe shows higher stability than conventional molecular beacons inside living cells.