CUSTOMIZED OLIGONUCLEOTIDE MICROCHIPS THAT CONVERT MULTIPLE GENETIC INFORMATION TO SIMPLE PATTERNS

摘要

This invention relates to using customized oligonucleotide microchips as biosensors for the detection and identification of the nucleic acids specific for different genes, organisms and/or individuals in the environment, in food and in biological samples. The microchips are designed to convert multiple bits of genetic information into simpler patterns of signals that are interpreted as a unit. Because of an improved method of hybridizing oligonucleotides from samples to microchips, microchips are reusable and transportable. For field study, portable laser or bar code scanners are suitable.