Methods for the detection of DNA and RNA sequence are important in research and medicine. Logically, many strategies for the detection of nucleic acid sequence rely on Watson-Crick hybridization of a probe strand to target DNA or RNA in the sample. However, all hybridization-based approaches for sequence detection suffer from a common limitation: the non-covalent, inherently reversible nature of nucleic acid hybridization means that signal can be compromised by partial denaturation of the probe-target duplex during analysis (e.g. washing). Long probes provide a more durable signal, but lack sensitivity to mismatches, while short probes provide sequence specificity but do not yield a durable signal. Here we explore sequence-specific covalent capture of target nucleic acid sequences as a means to overcome these challenges. Sequence-selective capture reactions employed in fluorescence, electrophoretic, and protein nanopore-based detection of a cancer-driving T→A mutation at position 1799 of the human BRAF kinase gene sequence and other disease-relevant sequences will be described.

Sequence-specific covalent capture for detection of disease-derived nucleic acid sequences

254th National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.