title: Luminescent detection of specific DNA sequences.
abstract: The process whereby part of the energy evolved in a chemical reaction is emitted as light is known as luminescence. When luminol is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), light is evolved (1). This is shown in Fig. 1. Luciferin not only enhances the reaction, but prolongs the emission over several minutes (2). The light may be measured in a luminometer or visualized as the blackening of photographic film, as will be described. Fig. 1. Oxidation of luminol in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and HRP (the catalyst).
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Woodhead
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Malcolm