Visual DNA -- identification of DNA sequence variations by bead trapping

Genomics. 2007 Dec;90(6):741-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2007.07.014. Epub 2007 Oct 24.

Abstract

In this paper we describe a method that uses the nearly covalent strength biotin-streptavidin interaction to attach a paramagnetic bead of micrometer size to a DNA molecule of nanometer size, scaling up the spatial size of a query DNA strand by a factor of 1000, making it visible to the human eye. The use of magnetic principles enables rapid binding and washing of detector beads, facilitating a readout of amplified DNA sequences in a few minutes. Here we exemplify the method on mitochondrial DNA variations using an array platform. Visual identification and documentation can be performed with an ordinary mobile phone equipped with a built-in camera.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biotin
  • DNA / genetics*
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / genetics
  • Dogs
  • Genetic Techniques
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Magnetics
  • Microspheres
  • Nanotechnology
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods*
  • Streptavidin
  • User-Computer Interface*

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Biotin
  • DNA
  • Streptavidin