Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for the detection of specific sequences of nucleic acids or oligonucleotides. It relates more particularly to a conjugated enzyme based assay system utilizing reflective and/or transmissive optical bio-discs for detection of specific sequences of nucleic acids. In the assay according to the present invention, an enzyme reaction is used to detect the presence of an analyte (DNA or RNA) in a microchannel in an optical bio-disc. The analyte is immobilized by hybridization with a specific capture probe on a capture layer on the surface and the signal that is generated is localized and specific. The signal can be in the form of a pellet, a fluorescent product, and/or a colored product, and can be detected and quantified by an optical bio-disc reader utilized in conjunction with the inventions hereof. This assay is thus quantitative in nature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for the detection of specific sequences of nucleic acids or oligonucleotides. It relates more particularly to a conjugated enzyme based assay system utilizing reflective and/or transmissive optical bio-discs for detection of specific sequences of nucleic acids. In the assay according to the present invention, an enzyme reaction is used to detect the presence of an analyte (DNA or RNA) in a microchannel in an optical bio-disc. The analyte is immobilized by hybridization with a specific capture probe on a capture layer on the surface and the signal that is generated is localized and specific. The signal can be in the form of a pellet, a fluorescent product, and/or a colored product, and can be detected and quantified by an optical bio-disc reader utilized in conjunction with the inventions hereof. This assay is thus quantitative in nature.

Abstract: An optical bio-disc that may be used to test a sample for a target nucleic acid of a prescribed sequence is described. The bio-disc includes a flow channel having target or capture zones, a return channel in fluid communication therewith, and in some embodiments a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the flow channel. The bio-disc may be implemented on an optical disc including an information encoding format such as CD, CD-R, or DVD or a modified version thereof. Methods of manufacturing the optical bio-disc and methods of using the optical bio-disc to detect nucleic acids according to the present invention are also provided.