Abstract: A method of detecting two different target molecules through a single electrode is carried out by (a) providing a conductive oxidation-reduction reaction detection electrode; (b) contacting a sample suspected of containing a first and second target molecule to the electrode under conditions in which the first and second target molecules are deposited on the electrode, wherein the first target molecule comprises a first label and the second target molecule comprises a second label; (c) contacting to the electrode a first transition metal complex that oxidizes the first preselected label in a first oxidation-reduction reaction and a second transition metal complex that oxidizes the first and second labels in a second oxidation-reduction reaction, with the first and second oxidation-reduction reactions producing different detectable signals; (d) detecting the presence of the first target molecule by detecting the first oxidation-reduction reaction; and (e) detecting the presence of the second target molecule by

Abstract: A method of detecting a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA, RNA) that contains at least one preselected base (e.g., adenine, guanine, 6-mercaptoguanine, 8-oxo-guanine, and 8-oxo-adenine) comprises (a) reacting the nucleic acid with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing the preselected base in an oxidation-reduction reaction; (b) detecting the oxidation-reduction reaction; and (c) determining the presence or absence of the nucleic acid from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction at the preselected base. The method may be used in a variety of applications, including DNA sequencing, diagnostic assays, and quantitative analysis.

Abstract: Compositions of biomolecules such as nucleic acids that form molten salts are provided. These compositions molten compositions that have useful electrical properties. Such compositions include a salt of (i) an organic polymer ion such as a polynucleic acid anion, and (ii) a polyether or polysiloxane couterion. Methods of making and using such compositions, along with electrical devices such as memory devices, are also provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting binding interactions and target molecules, such as proteins, protein fragments, recombinant proteins, recombinant protein fragments, extracellular matrix proteins, ligands, carbohydrates, steroids, hormones, drugs, drug candidates, immunoglobulins and receptors of eukaryotic, prokaryotic or viral origin, by mediated electrochemistry using labels that react with transition metal mediator complexes in a detectable catalytic redox reaction. These labels are attached directly to binders, target molecules, surrogate target molecules, or to affinity ligands capable of binding to the target or to surrogate target molecules capable of competing with the target for binding to another binder. The labels can be naturally present (endogenous) in the binder, target or affinity ligand, or constructed by the covalent attachment of the label to the binder, target, affinity ligand or surrogate target (exogenous).

Abstract: Compositions of biomolecules such as nucleic acids that form molten salts are provided. These compositions molten compositions that have useful electrical properties. Such compositions include a salt of (i) an organic polymer ion such as a polynucleic acid anion, and (ii) a polyether or polysiloxane couterion. Methods of making and using such compositions, along with electrical devices such as memory devices, are also provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting two different target molecules through a single electrode is carried out by (a) providing a conductive oxidation-reduction reaction detection electrode; (b) contacting a sample suspected of containing a first and second target molecule to the electrode under conditions in which the first and second target molecules are deposited on the electrode, wherein the first target molecule comprises a first label and the second target molecule comprises a second label; (c) contacting to the electrode a first transition metal complex that oxidizes the first preselected label in a first oxidation-reduction reaction and a second transition metal complex that oxidizes the first and second labels in a second oxidation-reduction reaction, with the first and second oxidation-reduction reactions producing different detectable signals; (d) detecting the presence of the first target molecule by detecting the first oxidation-reduction reaction; and(e) detecting the presence of the second target molecule by d

Abstract: A method of detecting a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA, RNA) that contains at least one preselected base (e.g., adenine, guanine, 6-mercaptoguanine, 8-oxo-guanine, and 8-oxo-adenine) comprises (a) reacting the nucleic acid with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing the preselected base in an oxidation-reduction reaction; (b) detecting the oxidation-reduction reaction; and (c) determining the presence or absence of the nucleic acid from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction at the preselected base. The method may be used in a variety of applications, including DNA sequencing, diagnostic assays, and quantitative analysis.

Abstract: An electrode for detecting interactions between members of a binding pair, which electrode has been modified by formation of a non-conductive self-assembled monolayer, and a method of detecting biomolecules, such as nucleic acids or other targets, including receptors, ligands, antigens or antibodies, utilizing such an electrode. When contacted with a target nucleic acid, an oligonucleotide probe coupled to the self-assembled monolayer reacts with the target nucleic acid form a hybridized nucleic acid on the modified electrode surface. The hybridized nucleic acid is reacted with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing a preselected base in the hybridized nucleic acid in an oxidation-reduction reaction, the oxidation-reduction reaction is detected, and the presence or absence of the nucleic acid is determined from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction.

Abstract: A method of detecting binding interactions and target molecules, such as proteins, protein fragments, recombinant proteins, recombinant protein fragments, extracellular matrix proteins, ligands, carbohydrates, steroids, hormones, drugs, drug candidates, immunoglobulins and receptors of eukaryotic, prokaryotic or viral origin, by mediated electrochemistry using labels that react with transition metal mediator complexes in a detectable catalytic redox reaction. These labels are attached directly to binders, target molecules, surrogate target molecules, or to affinity ligands capable of binding to the target or to surrogate target molecules capable of competing with the target for binding to another binder. The labels can be naturally present (endogenous) in the binder, target or affinity ligand, or constructed by the covalent attachment of the label to the binder, target, affinity ligand or surrogate target (exogenous).

Abstract: A method of detecting a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA, RNA) that contains at least one preselected base (e.g., adenine, guanine, 6-mercaptoguanine, 8-oxo-guanine, and 8-oxo-adenine) comprises (a) reacting the nucleic acid with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing the preselected base in an oxidation-reduction reaction; (b) detecting the oxidation-reduction reaction; and (c) determining the presence or absence of the nucleic acid from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction at the preselected base. The method may be used in a variety of applications, including DNA sequencing, diagnostic assays, and quantitative analysis.

Abstract: A method of detecting binding interactions and target molecules, such as proteins, protein fragments, recombinant proteins, recombinant protein fragments, extracellular matrix proteins, ligands, carbohydrates, steroids, hormones, drugs, drug candidates, immunoglobulins and receptors of eukaryotic, prokaryotic or viral origin, by mediated electrochemistry using labels that react with transition metal mediator complexes in a detectable catalytic redox reaction. These labels are attached directly to binders, target molecules, surrogate target molecules, or to affinity ligands capable of binding to the target or to surrogate target molecules capable of competing with the target for binding to another binder. The labels can be naturally present (endogenous) in the binder, target or affinity ligand, or constructed by the covalent attachment of the label to the binder, target, affinity ligand or surrogate target (exogenous).

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparati for performing electrochemical analyses. The invention provides an electrochemical apparatus for performing potentio metric analyses for detecting specific binding between a first member of a biological binding pair immobilized on an electrode and a second member of a biological binding pair that is electrochemically labeled, in the presence of an electrochemical mediator. Methods for using the apparatus of the invention for performing binding and competition binding assays are provided. The invention also provides methods for performing high throughput screening assays for detecting inhibition of specific binding between the members of the biological binding pair for use in drug development, biochemical analysis and protein purification assays.

Abstract: An electrode and method of preparing an electrode by electropolymerizing a film on the conductive working surface of an electrode. The electrode is modified by reductive electropolymerization of a thin film of poly[Ru(vbpy)32+] or poly[Ru(vbpy)32+/vba] (vbpy=4-vinyl-4′methyl-2,2′-bipyridine and vba=p-vinylbenzoic acid) and the electrode is used for the electrochemical detection of aqueous GMP, poly[G], and surface immobilized single-stranded DNA probes. The film is formed from a co-polymer of a mediator such as Ru(vbpy)32+ and a functionalized moiety having a carboxylate group such as p-vinylbenzoic acid. A DNA probe is attached covalently to the carboxylate group via a carbodiimide reaction followed by amidation of an amino-linked single-stranded DNA.

Abstract: A method of detecting a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA, RNA) that contains at least one preselected base (e.g., adenine, guanine, 6-mercaptoguanine, 8-oxo-guanine, and 8-oxo-adenine) comprises (a) reacting the nucleic acid with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing the preselected base in an oxidation-reduction reaction; (b) detecting the oxidation-reduction reaction; and (c) determining the presence or absence of the nucleic acid from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction at the preselected base. The method may be used in a variety of applications, including DNA sequencing, diagnostic assays, and quantitative analysis.

Abstract: An electrode for detecting interactions between members of a binding pair, which electrode has been modified by formation of a non-conductive self-assembled monolayer, and a method of detecting biomolecules, such as nucleic acids or other targets, including receptors, ligands, antigens or antibodies, utilizing such an electrode. When contacted with a target nucleic acid, an oligonucleotide probe coupled to the self-assembled monolayer reacts with the target nucleic acid to form a hybridized nucleic acid on the modified electrode surface. The hybridized nucleic acid is reacted with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing a preselected base in the hybridized nucleic acid in an oxidation-reduction reaction, the oxidation-reduction reaction is detected, and the presence or absence of the nucleic acid is determined from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction.

Abstract: A polymer-electrode including (a) a substrate having a conductive working surface; and (b) a polymer layer on the conductive working surface. The polymer layer has a plurality of microfluidic reaction openings distributed throughout the layer. An oligonucleotide probe can be attached to the polymer layer and is available to capture target nucleic acid. A soluble mediator can diffuse freely and transfer electrons from the preselected base in the hybridized nucleic acid to the conductive working surface of the substrate. An electronic signal generated from the electron transfer reaction is detected and quantitated.

Abstract: A method of detecting a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA, RNA) that contains at least one preselected base (e.g., adenine, guanine, 6-mercaptoguanine, 8-oxo-guanine, and 8-oxo-adenine) comprises (a) reacting the nucleic acid with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing the preselected base in an oxidation-reduction reaction; (b) detecting the oxidation-reduction reaction; and (c) determining the presence or absence of the nucleic acid from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction at the preselected base. The method may be used in a variety of applications, including DNA sequencing, diagnostic assays, and quantitative analysis.

Abstract: A method of cleaving nucleic acids comprises contacting a nucleic acid to an oxoruthenium(IV) coordination complex. Examples of coordination compounds useful for carrying out the method include Ru.sup.IV (tpy)(bpy)O.sup.2+, Ru.sup.IV (typ)(phen)O.sup.2+, Ru.sup.IV (typ)(tmen)O.sup.2+, Ru.sup.IV (bpy).sub.2 (py)O.sup.2+, and Ru.sup.IV (phen).sub.2 (py)O.sup.2+.