A new method of preparing fiber-optic DNA biosensor and its array for gene detection

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Molecular Biology
• Optics

Background:

• Developing sensitive and specific methods for gene detection is crucial in molecular diagnostics.
• Existing biosensor technologies face challenges in multiplexing and sensitivity for simultaneous gene analysis.
• Fiber-optic biosensors offer potential advantages due to their unique optical properties and small size.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for preparing a fiber-optic DNA biosensor array.
• To enable the simultaneous detection of multiple genes using this array.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of the developed array for specific gene hybridization.

Main Methods:

• Optical fibers were functionalized with poly-1-lysine.
• Oligonucleotide probes were immobilized onto the functionalized fiber ends to create DNA biosensors.
• Multiple DNA biosensors, each with a different probe, were assembled into a fiber-optic array.
• Hybridization of fluorescently labeled cDNA (p53, N-ras, Rb1 genes) to the array was monitored using a CCD camera.

Main Results:

• A fiber-optic DNA biosensor array capable of simultaneous multi-gene detection was successfully prepared.
• The array demonstrated successful hybridization of fluorescently labeled cDNA for the p53, N-ras, and Rb1 genes.
• The monitoring of hybridization using a CCD camera yielded good results, indicating the system's functionality.

Conclusions:

• The developed fiber-optic DNA biosensor array provides a viable platform for the simultaneous detection of multiple genes.
• This method offers a promising approach for sensitive and efficient genetic analysis.
• The successful demonstration of multi-gene hybridization highlights the potential of this technology in diagnostics and research.