Amperometric detection of DNA hybridization on a gold surface depends on the orientation of oligonucleotide chains

We tested the possibility of amperometric detection of DNA hybridization on a gold surface influenced by the immobilization of oligonucleotide giving different orientations of single stranded DNA relative to the gold surface. The DNA sensor was fabricated by chemisorption of 18-mer oligonucleotide modified by a phosphorothioate group either at its 3' or both 3' and 5' terminal. After immobilization of oligonucleotide to the gold support, the sensor was immersed in 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) solution. Further chemisorption of MUA resulted in approximately 10-fold increase of resistance of the organic layer. Addition of complementary oligonucleotide resulted in an increase of conductivity for DNA sensor oriented perpendicular to the gold support (DNA with one thiol group), while the conductance decreased for DNA sensor with single stranded DNA oriented parallel to the gold support (with DNA modified by thiol groups at both 3' and 5' terminals). Addition of non-complementary chain resulted a slight decrease or no change of sensor conductivity. The hybridization process at both types of DNA orientations is not cooperative and can be described by Langmuir isotherms. The hybridization event on gold support has been confirmed by mass detection using the quartz crystal microbalance technique.