AC methods for the detection of nucleic acids

• US 7,056,669 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2002
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Clinical Micro Sensors Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Kayyem, Jon Faiz, O'Connor, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Whisenant, Ethan
• Application Number:
  US10/241,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20030148328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,364 Days
• Field of Search: 435/6, 435/287.2, 536/23.1, 536/24.3
• US Class Current: 435/6.11
• CPC Class Codes: C07H 21/00 Compounds containing two or more mononucleotide units having separate phosphate or polyphosphate groups linked by saccharide radicals of nucleoside groups, e.g. nucleic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6825 Nucleic acid detection involving sensors

Abstract

The invention relates to nucleic acids covalently coupled to electrodes via conductive oligomers. More particularly, the invention is directed to the site-selective modification of nucleic acids with electron transfer moieties and electrodes to produce a new class of biomaterials, and to methods of making and using them.

Claims

1. A composition for detecting a target nucleic acid, comprising:

a) a first and second electrode, wherein said first electrode comprises a monolayer comprising a spacer, wherein said spacer is covalently attached to a single stranded nucleic acid; and

b) an AC/DC voltage source electrically connected to said first and second electrodes.

2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said spacer comprises an insulator.

3. A composition according to claim 2, wherein said insulator comprises an alkyl group.

4. A composition according to claim 3, wherein said alkyl group is linear.

5. A composition according to claim 3, wherein said alkyl group is branched.

6. A composition according to claim 2, wherein said insulator comprises ethylene glycol.

7. A composition according to claim 1, further comprising a second single stranded nucleic acid covalently attached to an electron transfer moiety.

8. A composition according to claim 7, wherein said electron transfer moiety is a transition metal complex.

9. A composition according to claim 8, wherein said transition metal complex comprises ferrocene.

10. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said spacer is a conductive oligomer.

11. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said monolayer comprises conductive oligomers.

12. A composition according to claim 1, further comprising c) a processor coupled to said electrodes.

13. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said AC source is capable of delivering frequencies from between about 1 Hz to about 100 kHz.