Method and system for nucleic acid detection using electroconductive or electrochemically active labels
AssigneeThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
InventorsI Ming Hsing, Ming Hung Thomas Lee, Xiaoteng Luo
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Abstract
A method for electrochemically or electrically detecting nucleic acids, utilizes electrochemically active or electrically conductive reporter materials. An electric voltage is applied and electric signals are measured to the electrodes that are suitable for detecting or quantifying the nucleic acid(s) in a sample. This technique is suitable for point-of-use applications, e.g. detecting bioanalytes in remote locations. A microchip, device, kit used adapted to be used for this method is also disclosed.
Claims14
A solution phase method for electrochemically or electrically detecting target nucleic acid(s), comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a sample comprising:
- i. a first probe(s) having the same electrical polarity as that of an electrode surface such that said first probe(s) is(are) repelled from said electrode surface;
- and
- ii. a second probe(s) comprising an electrochemically or electrically conductive labeled marker(s) coupled to an electrically neutral molecule(s), said second probe(s) being operatively linked to said first probe(s);
- b. providing said target nucleic acid(s) to said sample wherein said first probe(s) is(are) complementary to at least a portion of said target nucleic acid(s);
- and
- c. applying an electric potential to said sample and detecting a signal(s) produced by said labeled marker(s);
- wherein when said first probe(s) is(are) hybridized into said target nucleic acid(s), said second probe(s) is(are) released from said first probe(s) and said labeled marker(s) is(are) freely diffused to said electrode surface to produce a signal intensity change(s) when subjected to an electric potential, and such signal intensity change(s) correspond(s) to said target nucleic acid(s) in said sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.