Post-hybridisation by Electrophoresis for Reinforcing the Hybridization Result

In this paper, we developed an electrophoresis method for reinforcing hybridization efficiency, and distinguishing the perfectly matched sequences from the mismatched ones. The non-specific binding labeled targets in the hybridization were effectively removed by electrophoresis instead of the conventional washing procedure in the post-hybridisation process. During electrophoresis, the hybrids (the dual-spiral structures formed in hybridization) would be unchained when targets were continuously removed. In this case, not only the non-specific binding labeled targets, but also the targets participating in hybridization would be removed. Therefore, only the perfectly matched sequences had the distinct hybridization signals, the perfectly matched probes from the single-base mismatched ones could more easily be distinguished, and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) genotypes were also easily determined by dual-color fluorescence targets.