Abstract: Use of Morpholinos, a class of uncharged DNA analogues, for surface-hybridization applications. Monolayers of Morpholino probes on gold supports are fabricated with methods similar to those employed with DNA, and are used to hybridize efficiently and sequence-specifically with target strands. Hybridization-induced changes in the interfacial charge organization are analyzed with electrochemical methods and compared for Morpholino and DNA probe monolayers. Molecular mechanisms connecting surface hybridization state to the interfacial capacitance are identified and interpreted through comparison to numerical Poisson-Boltzmann calculations. Positive as well as negative capacitive responses (contrast inversion) to hybridization are possible, depending on surface populations of mobile ions as controlled by the applied potential.

Abstract: A method to monitor the progress of hybridization between nucleic acid strands in solution and Morpholino strands immobilized on a solid support such as a working electrode in-situ, in real-time, and using label-free electrochemical measurements sensitive to hybridization-induced changes in the near-surface dielectric constant and charge organization.

Abstract: Use of Morpholinos, a class of uncharged DNA analogues, for surface-hybridization applications. Monolayers of Morpholino probes on gold supports are fabricated with methods similar to those employed with DNA, and are used to hybridize efficiently and sequence-specifically with target strands. Hybridization-induced changes in the interfacial charge organization are analyzed with electrochemical methods and compared for Morpholino and DNA probe monolayers. Molecular mechanisms connecting surface hybridization state to the interfacial capacitance are identified and interpreted through comparison to numerical Poisson-Boltzmann calculations. Positive as well as negative capacitive responses (contrast inversion) to hybridization are possible, depending on surface populations of mobile ions as controlled by the applied potential.

Abstract: Surface hybridization, a reaction in which nucleic acid molecules in solution react with nucleic acid partners immobilized on a surface, is widely practiced in life science research. In these applications the immobilized partner, or “probe”, is typically single-stranded DNA. Because DNA is strongly charged, high salt conditions are required to enable binding between analyte nucleic acids (“targets”) in solution and the DNA probes. High salt, however, compromises prospects for label-free monitoring or control of the hybridization reaction through surface electric fields, as well as stabilizes secondary structure in target species that can interfere with probe-target recognition. In this work, initial steps toward addressing these challenges are taken by introducing Morpholinos, a class of uncharged DNA analogues, for surface-hybridization applications.

Abstract: The sequence determination, detection, and quantification of nucleic acid molecules through sequence-specific binding (hybridization) on a solid support, specifically when Morpholinos are used as the surface-immobilized probe species in surface-based nucleic acid assays, and the assays as disclosed herein.