Gel-tethered molecular beacons

摘要

The present invention relates to surface-patterned microgels to which molecular beacon probes are immobilized. The immobilized molecular beacon probes exhibit both low non-specific background and high specific fluorescence. Also disclosed are related arrays, related detection methods, and preparation methods.

主权项

1. A device for simultaneously detecting multiple biological targets comprising:
(i) a plurality of quenched probes that comprise individual quenched probes comprising labeled single-hairpin molecules that undergo a conformational change when individual quenched probes are bound to individual biological targets, wherein said conformational change leads to a detectable signal; (ii) a plurality of structures that comprise individual structures comprising a plurality of linking moieties, and further comprising a hydrated hydrophilic medium selected from the group consisting of aqueous gels, aqueous microgels, and aqueous gel coatings, wherein the hydrated hydrophilic medium is tethered to the plurality of quenched probes through the plurality of linking moieties, wherein the hydrated hydrophilic medium has a gradual transition region comprising a progressively reduced crosslink density from a center of the hydrated hydrophilic medium to a surface of the hydrated hydrophilic medium; and (iii) a substrate, wherein the plurality of structures are arranged in a spatially separated array on the substrate.