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Glycated albumin (GA) has been reported as an important biomarker for diabetes mellitus. This study investigates an optical sensor comprised of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) aptamer, semiconductor quantum dot and gold (Au) nanoparticle for the detection of GA. The system functions as a ‘turn on’ sensor because an increase in photoluminescence intensity is observed upon the addition of GA to the sensor. This is possibly because of the structure of the DNA aptamer, which folds to form a large hairpin loop before the addition of the analyte and is assumed to open up after the addition of target to the sensor in order to bind to GA. This pushes the quantum dot and the Au nanoparticle away causing an increase in photoluminescence. A linear increase in photoluminescence intensity and quenching efficiency of the sensor is observed as the GA concentration is varied between 0–14 500 nM. Time based photoluminescence studies with the sensor show the decrease in binding rate of the aptamer to the target within a specific time period. The sensor was found to have a higher selectivity towards GA than other control proteins. Further investigation of this simple sensor with greater number of clinical samples can open up avenues for an efficient diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus when used in conjunction with the traditional method of glucose level monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]