Electrochemical method to measure DNA attachment to an electrode surface in the presence of molecular oxygen

US7879554B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GENEOHM SCIENCES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Donald M. Crothers · Northford, US
• R. Erik Holmlin · San Diego, US
• Honghua Zhang · San Diego, US
• Chunnian Shi · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 29, 2009
• Grant date: Feb 1, 2011
• Expiry date: Sep 29, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q1/6837
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for conducting an assay to detect a polynucleotide. In particular, ruthenium complexes having reduction potentials that do not coincide with the reduction potential of molecular oxygen are disclosed and amperometric techniques for their use are described. In preferred embodiments, the ruthenium complex is ruthenium (III) pentaamine pyridine and the polynucleotide that is detected is DNA. Further, techniques for enhancing detectable contrast between hybridized and unhybridized nucleic acids are disclosed. In particular, the use of elongated target strands as well as the use of uncharged probe strands are discussed.