Method for enhancing the hybridization efficiency of target nucleic acids using a self-addressable, self-assembling microelectronic device

A method for the effective transport and hybridization of DNA on an active, electronic matrix device, the device having a plurality of microlocations, at least certain of the microlocations including probes, comprising the steps of:

• providing a first low-conductivity, zwitterionic buffer to the device,
• providing said nucleic acids to the device in said low conductivity, zwitterionic buffer,
• applying current and potential to at least certain microlocations so as to effect transport of said nucleic acids to selected microlocations,
• changing the buffer to a second buffer with a high salt concentration, and
• effecting hybridization of said nucleic acid with said probe at selected microlocations.

A method for detection of point mutations in double stranded amplicons comprising the steps of:

• providing amplicon products to an active, programmable electronic matrix device,
• dilute said products in a low conductance histidine buffer, denature said products,
• hybridize said denatured products in the histidine buffer on the device,
• perform stringency so as to discriminate matches versus mismatches, and
• detect and analyze said products.