New electrostatic-based DNA microarray technique could revolutionize medical d... (single-stranded DNA also negatively char...)

New electrostatic-based DNA microarray technique could revolutionize medical diagnostics

Date:6/30/2008

single-stranded DNA, also negatively charged but to a lesser degree than double-stranded DNA, the microspheres will levitate above the substrate surface, stacking up in "equilibrium heights" that are dictated by a balance between gravitational and electrostatic forces.

These electrostatic interactions on the microarray surface result in charge-density contrasts that are readily observed. Surface areas containing DNA segments take on a frosted or translucent appearance, and can be correlated to specific hybridizations that reveal the presence of genes, mutations and pathogens.

"Our technique is essentially a millionfold parallel version of the classic experiment used by Robert Millikan almost 100 years ago, when he determined the charge of a single electron by observing the positions of oil droplets levitated above a charged plate," said Groves.

There are a number of short-term "next steps" for this research, Groves said, including testing its application in high-density arrays and pushing its ultimate resolution limits.

"Since the resolution of electrostatic-based imaging is determined by the number of particle-observations rather than by the diffraction limit of light, our readouts could serve as a form of ultramicroscopy," he said. "The real grand challenge for this technology, however, will be for us to find suitable industrial partners with whom we can work to see that useful new products actually make it to market."

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Contact: Lynn Yarris
lcyarris@lbl.gov
510-486-5375
DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Source:Eurekalert

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New electrostatic-based DNA microarray technique could revolutionize medical d...(single-stranded DNA also negatively char...)