Detection of target DNA using fluorescent cationic polymer and peptide nucleic acid probes on solid support.
BACKGROUND
Nucleic acids detection using microarrays requires labelling of target nucleic acids with fluorophores or other reporter molecules prior to hybridization.


RESULTS
Using surface-bound peptide nucleic acids (PNA) probes and soluble fluorescent cationic polythiophenes, we show a simple and sensitive electrostatic approach to detect and identify unlabelled target nucleic acid on microarray.


CONCLUSIONS
This simple methodology opens exciting possibilities for applied genetic analysis for the diagnosis of infections, identification of genetic mutations, and forensic inquiries. This electrostatic strategy could also be used with other nucleic acid detection methods such as electrochemistry, silver staining, metallization, quantum dots, or electrochemical dyes.
Raymond
Frédéric R
FR
Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, l'Université Laval, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Pavillon CHUL, Sainte-Foy, Québec, G1V 4G2, Canada. fraymond@scientist.com
Ho
Hoang-Anh
HA
Peytavi
Régis
R
Bissonnette
Luc
L
Boissinot
Maurice
M
Picard
François J
FJ
Leclerc
Mario
M
Bergeron
Michel G
MG
D001483:Base Sequence; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002412:Cations; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D015341:Nucleic Acid Probes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D055672:Static Electricity; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000737:chemistry
D002412:Cations; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D015341:Nucleic Acid Probes; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids; D011108:Polymers; D013876:Thiophenes; C066730:polythiophene; D004247:DNA