Customized oligonucleotide microchips that convert multiple genetic information to simpler patterns, are portable and reusable

Abstract

This invention relates to using customize oligonucleotide microchips as biosensors for the detection and identification of nucleic acids specific for different genes, organisms and/or individuals in the environment, in food and in biological samples. The microchips are designed to convert multiple bits of genetic information into simpler patterns of signals that are interpreted as a unit. Because of an improved method of hybridizing oligonucleotides from samples to microchips, microchips are reusable to transportable. For field study, portable laser or bar code scanners are suitable.

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         12 . A method using non-equilibrium melting curves to detect mismatches between a nitrogen base sequence on a microchip and a nitrogen base sequence to be tested, said method comprising: 
 (a) generating the non-equilibrium melting curves by simultaneously monitoring hybridization between the nitrogen base sequence that matches or mismatches with sequences on the microchip at a series of temperatures;    (b) selecting the temperature at which maximum discrimination occurs between the match and the mismatch; and    (c) determining the degree of mismatch of the nitrogen base sequence to be tested at the selected temperature.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the selected temperature is that temperature at which the signal intensity of a mismatched sequence is at least one tenth of the signal intensity of a matched sequence.  
     
     
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