Nucleic acid biosensor system & diagnostic use

摘要

A biosensor for detecting a target nucleic acid in the presence of a fluorophore by detection of fluorescence from the fluorophore. The biosensor comprises a layer of nucleic acid or nucleic acid analogue capable of hybridizing to a target nucleic acid, covalently attached to an optical element. A light source stimulates fluorescence of a fluorophore that is in contact with the optical element surface and fluorescence emission is detected when the fluorophore binds to a hybridized nucleic acid complex. Also disclosed are methods for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample, for detecting more than one target nucleic acid in a sample, for detecting triplex or multistranded nucleic acid formation and for making the biosensor.