Screening for the breast cancer gene (BRCA1) using a biochip system and molecular beacon probes immobilized on solid
Mustafa Culha1, David L Stokes, Guy D Griffin
1Advanced Biomedical Science and Technology Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Bethel Valley Road, MS-6101 P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6101, USA.
Abstract:
We describe the use of a biochip based on complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology for detection of specific genetic sequences using molecular beacons (MB) immobilized on solid surfaces as probes. The applicability of this miniature detection system for screening for the BRCA1 gene is evaluated using MB probes, designed especially for the BRCA1 gene. MB probes are immobilized on a zeta-probe membrane by biotin-streptavidin immobilization. Two immobilization strategies are investigated to obtain optimal assay sensitivity. The MB is immobilized by manual spotting on zeta-probe membrane surfaces with the use of a custom-made stamping system. The detection of the BRCA1 gene using an MB probe is successfully demonstrated and expands the use of the CMOS biochip for medical applications.
