Abstract: The invention provides polymerization-based signal amplification methods in which labeling moieties are incorporated into a polymer mass or film formed at a biorecognition site. When the labeling moieties are fluorescent, the invention can be used to provide an immunofluorescent staining method which is non-enzymatic. The invention also provides kits useful for the immunofluorescent staining methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for highly-specific detection of hybridization of single stranded nucleic acids. The invention also provides methods for target identification which rely on this highly-specific hybridization detection. Targets suitable for detection include, but are not limited to, nucleic acid biomarkers. The methods of the invention can employ an on-chip, DNA polymerase-dependent labeling scheme termed primer extension (PEX) to couple biotinylated deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) molecules to nucleic acid hybrids bound to a solid substrate, allowing for subsequent recognition by biotin-binding-protein-labeled photoinitiators. Surface-initiated polymerization from these surface bound photoinitiators can lead to the formation of macroscale amounts of polymeric material, thereby amplifying the signal from the initial molecular recognition event.