Electric field pulse assisted covalent immobilization and hybridization of DNA in the nanosecond time scale

摘要

A single, square, voltage pulse is used to accelerate both the immobilization kinetics of DNA molecules on a functionalized thin film silicon dioxide surface and the hybridization of complementary DNA strands to immobilized DNA molecules. The voltage pulse is applied to an integrated thin-film metal electrode beneath the functionalized surface. The duration and magnitude of the voltage pulse are compatible with silicon microelectronics circuits. During immobilization, covalent thio bonding to the functionalized surface occurs during a single pulse lasting only 100 ns. Hybridization to the immobilized complementary strand occurs during 100 μs pulses.