Method and system for real time quantification and monitoring of nucleic acid amplification using electroconductive or electrochemically active labels

A real time solid phase method for electrochemically or electrically monitoring or quantifying the amount of nucleic acid(s) by formation of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) produced polynucleic acid(s) comprising

• contacting a sample comprising a target nucleic acid(s), a solid surface bound probe(s) comprising a first primer(s) provided with a sequence(s) that is complementary to at least a portion of one end of the target nucleic acid(s), a second primer(s) in solution that is complementary to at least a portion of the opposing end of the complementary strand of the target nucleic acid(s), and an electrochemically or electrically conductive labeled marker(s) that is(are) adapted for incorporation into a polynucleic acid(s) by chain polymerization and when incorporated thereof produces a signal(s) change(s) if subjected to an electric potential wherein at least one of the probe(s) is(are) bound onto the conductive electrode surface and said probes remain immobilized during chain polymerization;
• adding a polymerase chain reaction enzyme(s) under conditions effective for PCR amplification to occur;
• applying an electric potential to the sample and detecting or measuring in real time an electric signal(s) produced by the labeled marker(s) incorporated into said solid surface bound probe(s);
• and
• quantifying the amount of nucleic acid(s) present in the sample and the amount of polynucleic acid(s) produced by correlating the change(s) in signal(s) over time with the formation of polynucleic acid(s),
• wherein said electric signal(s) is detected or measured with a conductive electrode(s) placed in the sample;
• said electrode(s) is(are) treated for a sufficient period of time to prevent electron transfer from said un-reacted electrochemically or electronically conductive labeled marker during real time solid phase PCR;
• wherein said electrodes are treated with a blocking agent for at least twelve hours;
• and said blocking agent of said treatment is ethanolamine.