Silver particles enhance emission of fluorescent DNA oligomers

Here we describe a new opportunity in methodology for increasing the detectability of fluorescently labeled DNA on solid substrates. We show that the use of glass substrates coated with metallic silver particles results in an approximate 5-fold increase in the intensity of Cy3- or Cy5-labeled DNA oligomers. Proximity to these silver particles also increases the photostability of Cy3- and Cy5-labeled oligomers. These results suggest the use of DNA array substrates with silver particles for increased sensitivity in genetic analysis.