title: Polymer-DNA hybrids as electrochemical probes for the detection of DNA.
abstract: The syntheses of several norbornene block copolymers containing oligonucleotide and ferrocenyl side chains and their use in the electrochemical detection of DNA are described. Two kinds of DNA-containing block copolymers with either ferrocenyl or dibromoferrocenyl groups were prepared via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Based on these two distinct ferrocene derivatives, a triblock copolymer labeling strategy was developed. With this strategy, the identity of DNA target can be determined by the E1/2s of the ferrocenyl moieties and the ratio of peak currents. These polymers exhibit predictable and tailorable electrochemical properties, high DNA duplex stability, and unusually sharp melting transitions, which are highly desirable characteristics for DNA detection applications. Significantly, single-base mismatches could be easily detected using two distinct block copolymers as dual-channel detection probes in an electrochemical DNA detection format.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3113, USA.
authors.forename: Julianne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: So-Jung
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Donde R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Keith J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Chad A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mirkin
authors.forename: Sonbinh T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D000075163:Metallocenes; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009636:Norbornanes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D000075163:Metallocenes; D009636:Norbornanes; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D011108:Polymers; D004247:DNA; C004998:ferrocene