SST: Highly sensitive, selective, self-signal amplifying molecular DNA sensors

Regents Of The University Of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

Abstract

0428010 Kim This research reflects the investigators joint efforts to uniquely combine the specificity of biosystems and the tunable signal amplification property of synthetic conjugated polymers to develop molecular bio-sensors with ultimate sensitivity and selectivity. Highly sensitive, self-signal amplifying molecular DNA sensors for rapid organism detection are to be developed through hybrid material design of conjugated polymers and biological materials. The these molecular sensors are composed of a conjugated polymer backbone, peptide nucleic acid side chains, negatively charged ionic side chains, non-ionic water-soluble side chains, and oligonucleotide molecular beacons. Each of the components is designed to be cooperative toward the necessary sensory properties for rapid organism detection, such as water-solubility, self-signaling property, high sensitivity through signal amplification, high accuracy via false signal suppression, and easy immobilization property on a solid substrate for DNA microarray fabrication. The rationally designed components will be integrated into the molecular sensors through organic chemistry, bioconjugated synthesis, and molecular assembly. These molecular DNA sensors will open a new era of rapid specific organism detection based on their DNA signature, without the costly and time-consuming PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification, labeling with fluorescent dyes, and thorough purifications of analyte DNA.