Electrochemical assay of nonlabeled DNA chip and SNOM imaging by using streptavidin-biotin interaction

The assay of DNA biosensor-based nucleic acid recognition using microfabrication technology provides for high sensitivity, good surface coverage and reproducibility. We have achieved efficient immobilization and hybridization of nonlabeled DNA using cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV) and scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) techniques. The increased electrochemical response observed following the immobilization of biotinlyated ssDNA probe suggests that nucleic acid is a somewhat better medium for electronic transfer. We demonstrated the high coverage of immobilized FITC-labeled biotinylated DNA probe on a streptavidin-modified surface using SNOM imaging. SNOM imaging of FITC-labeled complementary DNA also exhibited fluorescent light spots of hybridization distributed throughout. No fluorescent light was observed with the hybridization of non-complementary DNA.