Development of a Novel Electrochemical Biosensor for Detection and Discrimination of DNA Sequence and Single Base Mutation in dsDNA Samples Based on PNA-dsDNA Hybridization - a new Platform Technology

In spite of the extensive attention paid on the development of various DNA detection strategies, very few studies have been reported regarding direct detection of DNA sequence and mutation in dsDNA. Here, we describe the feasibility of detection and discrimination of target DNA sequences and single base mutations (SBM) directly in double-stranded oligonucleotides and PCR products without the need for denaturation of the target dsDNA samples. This goal was achieved by employing a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) chain, self-assembled on the gold electrode as a probe, which binds to dsDNA and forms PNA-dsDNA hybrid.